North Reading Man Faces Drug Charges In Discovery Of MDMA (Ecstasy) Drug Lab

NORTH READING – A 28-year-old North Reading was arraigned in connection with an alleged MDMA (Ecstasy) drug manufacturing operation that was discovered when authorities responded to a fire that had broken out at his home.

In Woburn District Court on Wednesday, Lowell Navarro had his bail set at $2,000 cash after pleading not guilty to a charges of possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance and conspiracy to violate the drug laws.

Navarro's next court date is April 14.

North Reading police allege that at 11:45 p.m. on Feb. 7 they received calls reporting a house on fire on Travelled Way in North Reading. Police and fire personnel responded to the scene.. After the flames were extinguished, authorities discovered a small, five-by-three- foot room that allegedly contained an small laboratory with enclosed glass structure with a venting system attached overhead, glass cylinders and beakers, containers of various chemicals and a white powdery substance. The white powder allegedly tested positive for MDMA.

A warrant was issued for the defendant as well as a second individual believed to reside in the home, Jacob Stanish, 31, of North Reading. An arraignment date has not been set for Stanish.

Photo courtesy North Reading Police