CLEARFIELD – An Irvona man accused of manufacturing methamphetamine and having marijuana at his residence was in centralized court for his preliminary hearing Wednesday.
Ethan A. Brink, 24, of Irvona has been charged with two counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; knowingly possess ephedrine; conspiracy/knowingly possess ephedrine; possession of red phosphorus, etc., with intent to manufacture controlled substance; conspiracy/possession of red phosphorus, etc., with intent to manufacture controlled substance; deposits, stores, disposes of chemical waste; conspiracy/deposits, stores, disposes of chemical waste; intentional possession of a controlled substance; use/possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of liquefied ammonia with intent to manufacture controlled substance; operating a methamphetamine lab; conspiracy/possession of liquefied ammonia with intent to manufacture controlled substance; and conspiracy/operating a methamphetamine lab.
Brandye Lynn Hull, 25, of Irvona has also been charged by the Pennsylvania State Police with manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; conspiracy/manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; knowingly possess ephedrine; conspiracy/knowingly possess ephedrine; possession of red phosphorus, etc., with intent to manufacture controlled substance; conspiracy/possession of red phosphorus, etc., with intent to manufacture controlled substance; deposits, stores, disposes of chemical waste; conspiracy/deposits, stores, disposes of chemical waste; intentional possession of a controlled substance; use/possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of liquefied ammonia with intent to manufacture controlled substance; operating a methamphetamine lab; conspiracy/possession of liquefied ammonia with intent to manufacture controlled substance; and conspiracy/operating a methamphetamine lab.
Hull had previously waived all charges against her to the Court of Common Pleas for further disposition. Brink waived his set of charges to court at his preliminary hearing Wednesday.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, in the early-morning hours Oct. 4, state police were asked to investigate a reported drug violation at a Brink Road residence in Chest Township.
Troopers had previously responded to follow up on a domestic disturbance and observed marijuana plants hanging on the living room wall as well as growing behind the residence. Additionally, troopers had observed a needle and several items of drug paraphernalia. All of which prompted state police to prepare a search warrant on the residence.
Later that day, troopers who were members of the Troop C Vice Unit served the warrant. Located in a bedroom were two, large drying marijuana plants with the root ball attached and several branches from a marijuana plant. Outside the residence were four potted marijuana plants. Several baggies were found containing processed marijuana and a large envelope with processed marijuana spread out on top of it, the affidavit states.
Located in the kitchen area was a soda cap with plastic tubing attached, a coffee filter with white residue, numerous batteries, a large quantity of small, plastic baggies, Coleman camp fuel and drainer cleaner. Located under the sink area in the kitchen was a blue, plastic tote containing lye, cold packs, acetone and plastic bottles. These are all items commonly used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
A purse and bag belonging to Hull was searched and inside state police allegedly found a plastic sandwich bag containing suspected marijuana, a needle, two soda bottle caps with plastic tubing attached, a plastic tubing smoking device, Sudafed, empty waxen stamp bags, an unknown liquid, rock salt, a pipe, a spoon and syringe along with assorted prescription drugs.
On Oct. 4 state police interviewed Brink and he produced a written statement. He told state police that the marijuana and plants and the meth “supplies” belonged to him. However, he indicated that the “ingredients” in the blue, plastic tote belonged to both him and Hull, which they used for the manufacture and sale of methamphetamine.
Brink also said that approximately three to four months prior, they had been involved in this activity and split the proceeds “down the middle.”
State police later located an active, one-pot methamphetamine lab under a bucket in the kitchen. Also, located within the residence were three firearms, according to the affidavit.