Crystal Meth Lab In Union County Dismantled After Investigation, Police Say

A 42-year-old Springfield man has been arrested and charged with maintaining a crystal methamphetamine production facility in his apartment.

John Howlett was arrested inside his vehicle located outside of the Troy Drive apartment where investigators executed a search warrant granted for the home on Monday.

“Along with what appeared to be a makeshift methamphetamine laboratory, arriving detectives encountered a toxic odor in the apartment, prompting the evacuation of several nearby housing units and the dispatching of the Springfield Fire Department and the Union County Hazardous Material Response Team,” according to a press release from The Union County Prosecutor‘s Office.

Once the apartment was deemed safe by The New Jersey State Police Hazardous Materials Response Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team, the apartment was searched by investigators.

Recovered from the apartment and an adjacent garage were:

• approximately 11 ounces of crystal methamphetamine
• more than 160 oxycodone pills
• approximately 220 various prescription pills
• 20 folds of heroin

Investigators also found numerous pieces of narcotics production equipment, including:

• instructions on the production of methamphetamine
• packaging materials
• several boxes of pseudoephedrine tablets
• iodine
• batteries
• heating sources
• glassware
• digital scales
• Tyvek protective suits
• a money counter
• and a filtration system wired directly to an electrical box

Approximately $13,000 in cash, a sophisticated video surveillance and computer system, a Sig Sauer airsoft gun, and a BB gun were also located in the home.

Elana Garman, 24, of Bergen County, was arrested inside of the apartment and later turned over to the custody of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office after it was discovered she had outstanding warrants, according to authorities.

Howlett is charged with:

• first-degree maintaining a narcotics production facility
• first-degree possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute
• two second-degree weapons offenses
• a third-degree drug offense

He was lodged in Union County Jail, with bail set at $600,000 by state Superior Court Judge William Daniel. Convictions for first-degree crimes commonly carry penalties of 10 to 20 years in state prison.

(Photo Credit: by INeedCoffee.com via flickr creative commons)