Scientist Arrested At His Union County Home For Possession Of Chemicals Used To Make 'GHB'

A 44-year-old scientist was arrested and charged with multiple drug offenses after he received a large delivery of a chemical commonly used to synthesize gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, more commonly known as the club drug GHB, at his home in Springfield last week.

Kurt Romondt, a senior scientist at Merk, was arrested at his home on Thursday after a search revealed a package containing 2,745 grams of gamma-butyrolactone (used to synthesize GHB), approximately 300 milliliters of GHB, a scale, and materials used to process and produce the drug.

“GHB is a naturally occurring substance that can also be produced chemically and has multiple methods of usage as an illegal recreational drug, depending on the dosage – small amounts, for instance, can act as a stimulant and produce euphoric effects, while larger amounts are used by athletes to stimulate the production of human growth hormone in the body, according to a press release from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. “ GHB also has been labeled a date-rape drug due to its rapid-onset sedative effects when administered in larger quantities.”

Romondt is charged with first-degree maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility, second-degree possession of GHB with the intent to distribute, and a related third-degree drug charge – his bail is set at $200,000.