A man faces serious allegations following his arrest in connection with a drug investigation. The 21-year-old Illinois resident was arrested in the evening of Feb. 24 and now faces a drug charge for possession as well as several other charges related to the initial one. This is the man’s second arrest in connection with his allegedly fabricating drugs in his home.
Police say they were responding to a tip they received when they entered the man’s residence on Monday. What they allegedly found, they say, corresponds with the makings of a laboratory designed to manufacture methamphetamines. Police reported they found burners and beakers as well as chemicals apparently consistent with an intent to produce meth.
Police also said they recovered what they believe to be 12 jars of psychedelic mushrooms from the residence. The man was arrested and charged with several counts of possession involving a controlled substance, methamphetamine precursors and drug paraphernalia. All of the charges are considered felonies in the state of Illinois. If he is convicted of any of the charges filed against him, the man could be facing prison time. He is currently free but being monitored electronically.
A drug charge that suggests an intent to manufacture a controlled substance is an extremely serious one to face in an Illinois court, but the specifics of this case may lend themselves to an effective defense. The burden will be on state prosecutors to confirm that police operated within legal limits while conducting their search of the man’s property, and that they were within their rights to be there in the first place. It will also have to be proved that the items allegedly found by officers were indeed intended to be used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
Source: NBC Chicago, Man Arrested for Meth Lab Wearing “Breaking Bad” Shirt, No author, Feb. 26, 2014