HARRISBURG – Agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation arrested a Lycoming County man for allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine.
Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Eric Bilbay, 33, 131 N. Main St., Jersey Shore.
Corbett said that Bilbay was arrested on September 23, following a search of his Jersey Shore apartment and garage. The search came after agents from the Attorney General’s Office obtained information that there was possibly an active meth lab at that location.
“Meth labs pose a serious public safety threat because of the potentially toxic and volatile chemicals used to create the drug,” Corbett said. “Not only that, but the abuse of meth also fuels an assortment of other crimes.”
Corbett said that during the course of the search at Bilbay’s home, agents seized various items used to manufacture methamphetamine, including salts, lithium strips, anhydrous ammonia tanks and other chemicals linked to the manufacture of methamphetamine. Agents also seized drug paraphernalia from Bilbay’s vehicle.
Bilbay is charged with two counts each of receiving stolen property and possession of liquefied ammonia gas. He is also charged with one count each of manufacturing methamphetamine, illegal dumping of methamphetamine waste, risking catastrophe, criminal conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bilbay was arraigned before Jersey Shore Magisterial District Judge Jerry Lepley and is being held in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.
Bilbay will be prosecuted in Lycoming County by the Lycoming County District Attorney’s office.
