Two separate Northeast Kingdom incidents within hours of each other over the weekend raised suspicions that people were manufacturing methamphetamine.
A fire in a camper brought emergency response personnel to a residence in Ryegate on Saturday evening. The blaze severely injured 28-year-old Joel Alexander, who was flown to Boston for medical treatment.
Powdered methamphetamine. Authorities in Vermont say they found evidence at two sites in the Northeast Kingdom suggesting the manufacturing of meth. File photo/U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
Investigators from the Vermont State Police and the Vermont Division of Fire Safety went to the scene along with firefighters, according to a police news release.
According to Detective Lt. Reg Trayah, who heads the Vermont State Police clandestine lab investigations unit, the team found two so-called one-pots and two gas generators — both pieces of equipment necessary to make meth.
The fire occurred just hours after the team had investigated and found evidence of a meth lab at the residence of a Barton man, authorities said.
Trayah said Monday that, based on his experience in the unit, two meth lab-related calls in one day has “never happened before.” However, he also said it does not indicate meth has increased in prominence.
Though methamphetamine is not a new presence on the landscape of illicit narcotics in Vermont, it is far outshadowed by opiates like heroin.
However, Trayah said, meth is known for being exceptionally addictive, and the come-down is extraordinarily difficult. On top of that, he said, it’s fairly easy to make at home.
“It’s an ugly, ugly drug that you can buy everything that you need for legally in three or four stores,” Trayah said.
In addition to the risks associated with consuming the substance, the manufacture of meth is very dangerous. Because of the chemicals involved, sites need to be handled and dismantled with care by properly trained people, he said.
The Barton suspect was arrested Friday after a substantial investigation by the Vermont Drug Task Force. That suspect, Terry Parson Jr., 33, was arraigned Monday in Orleans County on charges of possessing and distributing methamphetamine. He pleaded not guilty.
According to an affidavit filed by Aaron Lefebvre, a detective with the Newport Police Department who is a member of the Vermont Drug Task Force, two informants had shared information with law enforcement about buying meth from Parson.
Police said they arrested Parson after one informant carried out a controlled purchase of meth from him. In an initial interview with officers, police said, he admitted using heroin and selling meth, though he denied making it.
Parson later said he made meth using what he called the “shake and bake” method, or what is often referred to as the one-pot method. According to court papers, following Parson’s description, law enforcement found a setup to make meth using a plastic Powerade bottle inside a mini fridge.
No manufacturing charges have been brought against Parson. The Orleans County state’s attorney, Jennifer Barrett, said an active investigation is under way.
Barrett said charges relating to meth are much less common than those related to heroin in her experience. However, she said, in some cases both substances are involved.
“I think there is an overlap,” Barrett said. “I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive.”
She said meth could be an appealing alternative to heroin for some drug users because, unlike heroin, which comes at a substantial price, meth can be manufactured at home using fairly common items.
In terms of the dangers of using the substances, Barrett does not consider there to be a significant difference between meth and heroin. The major safety issue arises if people are manufacturing meth, she said.
“It’s a huge public safety concern if people are making meth with children in the home, or with neighbors close by, or even for their own safety,” Barrett said.
Her office brought the charges against Parson.
Caledonia County State’s Attorney Lisa Warren did not return a call for comment on the Ryegate incident.
Trayah said that although the proximity of the events is unprecedented, it is not an indication that meth labs are proliferating.
Rather, he said, it points to heightened awareness around identifying potential meth labs and treating them with an appropriate level of caution.
“People made the right phone call to us, and it just so happened to be that it was two within the same few hours,” Trayah said.
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