HARRISBURG – Agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and officers from the Girard Police Department have arrested an Erie County man following the search of a suspected methamphetamine lab in Albion, Erie County.
Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendant as Jeffrey Wayne Chuzie, 31, of 24 North St., Albion.
Kelly said that Chuzie was arrested following the execution of a search warrant at his home on Jan. 12 by agents from the Attorney General’s Office, members of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Drug Task Force and clandestine laboratory response teams from the Attorney General’s Office and Pennsylvania State Police.
The search located a suspected meth lab in Chuzie’s residence and resulted in the seizure of items commonly used to manufacture meth.
“Home-grown meth labs are a public safety threat and blight on our communities,” Kelly said. “Our joint law enforcement effort to ‘follow the pills’ has been extremely successful at identifying meth labs and meth cooks throughout northwestern Pennsylvania and we are committed to continue attacking this dangerous and illegal business.”
Kelly said agents identified the suspected lab as part of an ongoing cooperative investigation in Erie and surrounding counties that seeks to identify individuals who purchase large quantities of meth-related ingredients, especially cold medications containing pseudoephedrine.
Chuzie is charged with one count of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to manufacture, deliver or possess with intent to deliver meth and one count of possession of meth precursors and chemicals.
Chuzie was preliminarily arraigned on Jan. 12 and lodged in the Erie County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Chuzie will be prosecuted in Erie County by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
Kelly thanked the Girard Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, the Albion Police Department and Millcreek Township Police Department for their cooperation and assistance.
Kelly noted that this is an ongoing investigation and additional charges are anticipated.