Two women were in jail Tuesday on charges they were producing methamphetamine in a Pottsville home.
Margaret Ney, 61, of 218 N. 12th St., Pottsville, was arraigned on felony charges of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, risking a catastrophe and liquefied ammonia gas-precursors and chemicals, along with misdemeanor offenses of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.
Jada McClure, 28, of 626 Wyoming St., Box 142, Tuscarora, was arraigned on felony charges of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and liquefied ammonia gas-precursors and chemicals; and misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.
Pottsville police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said the arrests result from an active investigation officers were involved in, both criminal and for city code violations, including no electricity and no running water, at Ney's home.
He said that about 11:40 a.m., officers went to the home and, during the investigation, uncovered evidence the residents were making methamphetamine in the basement.
Wojciechowsky said the scene was secured and a state police Clandestine Lab Response Team contacted.
The team arrived during the afternoon hours and safely removed the items used in the illegal manufacturing operation.
Wojciechowsky said Ney and McClure bought chemicals and other items needed to manufacture methamphetamine and were using a technique commonly known as a "one-pot method."
He said 32 used and inactive "one-pot" containers were recovered by the CLRT members along with other residual liquids and by-products.
All of the items seized were sent to the state police crime laboratory for analysis, Wojciechowsky said.
In paperwork filed with on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, Sgt. Mark O'Toole, the arresting officer, said that after the items were discovered, Ney was read her Miranda Rights and subsequently admitted making methamphetamine in the basement of the home and said she had been doing so for about two months.
The woman said the last time she manufactured the illegal drug was Friday and that she would make methamphetamine every 10 to 12 days.
After being read her Miranda Rights, McClure said she was staying at the home for about two or three weeks and admitted buying the drug pseudoephedrine for Ney and that she was aware it was being used in the process of making methamphetamine.
City code enforcement officers assisted along with Pottsville firefighters and Pottsville-Schuylkill Haven Area EMS.
Both women were committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail each set by Kilker.
Ney and McClure will now have to appear for a preliminary tentatively set for May 23 before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley in his Pottsville courtroom.