Second Arrest in Alleged Freemansburg Meth Lab

A West Bethlehem man has been charged with being an operator of a methamphetamine lab that Freemansburg and Bethlehem Township police inadvertently broke up two weeks ago, according to court papers.

Christopher S. Madzarac, 33, of 1257 Stanford Road, was picked up by Freemansburg police early Wednesday and charged with four felony counts for allegedly being involved with the operation of a basement meth lab at 705 Lockhouse Road, according to the arrest affidavit.

On March 6, police officers assisting a state constable serving a warrant at that address stumbled onto the alleged methamphetamine-making operation.

Police obtained a separate warrant, and with the help of the Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Team, found a “large quantity” of meth-making materials, equipment and controlled substances, police said. Some of the items included Drano, liquid fire fuel, broken-open lithium batteries and salt, police said.

Mark Patrick Santos, 32, who lives at the Lockhouse Road address, was charged the same day with operating a meth lab, risking a catastrophe, receiving stolen property and three other felony drug counts. He was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Madzarac was charged with operating a meth lab, risking a catastrophe and two other felony drug counts listed under “prohibited acts.” He was arraigned before on-duty District Judge Roy Manwaring of Bethlehem and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.