On Aug. 12, the METRICH Enforcement Unit investigated two unrelated methamphetamine labs in the city of Mansfield. The first lab was discovered by Mansfield Police officers who were at 311 E. Second St. taking a menacing report.
They discovered James F. Redden attempting to conceal suspected methamphetamine in a bucket of water while questioning him. He was subsequently arrested and charged with Illegal Manufacture of Drugs-F1 and Illegal Assembly or Possession of Chemicals for Manufacture of Drugs-F3.
Several hours later, the METRICH Enforcement Unit received a tip from an area pharmacy in reference to the purchase of excessive amounts of pseudoephedrine.
METRICH detectives followed up on the information they had received which led them to 739 Bowman St.
During a consent search, detectives located several ingredients consistent with the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Detectives arrested and charged Joanne M. Burns and Tracy Isaac with Illegal Manufacture of Drugs-F1 and Illegal Assembly or Possession of Chemicals for Manufacture of Drugs-F2. The charges were enhanced as there were children present in the residence. The Richland County Children’s Services was contacted and the children were placed with other family members.
Methamphetamine Specialists Det. Perry Wheeler and Det. Aaron Bushey processed both labs. Det. Wheeler stated that the chemical fumes produced from a meth lab can be noxious and harmful to anyone exposed to them. Some signs of chemical exposure include itching or burning of skin and eyes, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest as well as strong chemical odors.
METRICH is a 10-county decentralized task force in North Central Ohio whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the citizens we serve by reducing the availability of illegal drugs and weapons through proactive enforcement efforts. The success of METRICH is a tribute to the cooperation and support within the Law Enforcement Community in the METRICH region and to those citizens who have chosen to improve the quality of life in their communities by assisting METRICH in reporting suspicious activity and valuable information.
