Zelie police stop alleged meth lab
HARMONY — A traffic stop this week possibly stopped a would-be meth lab from setting up shop, authorities said.
Zelienople police on Wednesday charged a father and son — Robert M. Williamson, 41, of Butler and Zachory M. Williamson, 20, of Parker, Armstrong County — with planning to make methamphetamine, a highly addictive and potent central nervous stimulant.
Both defendants are being held in the Butler County Prison on a list of felony and other charges.
Zelienople Patrolman Chuck Carlson was manning a speed trap at Mercer Street and Old Creek Road in Harmony about 2 p.m. Monday when he clocked a car going 59 mph in a 25 mph zone.
The officer activated his emergency lights and took off after the car, police said. The suspected speeder, Zachory Williamson, however, did not immediately stop.
But after a short chase, police said, the suspect pulled over.
Officers ordered the younger Williamson and his father, who was in the back seat, out of the car.
Moments later, a search of the car turned up suspected marijuana on the front seat.
But what surprised — and alarmed — police is what they found on the back seat floor.
Inside a large gym bag, according to court documents, officers turned up a can of Drano, lithium batteries, charcoal lighter fluid and pseudoephedrine-based pills — precursor chemicals needed to make methamphetamine.
The officers, wary of the potentially dangerous chemicals, backed away from the car and notified a drug agent with the state attorney general's office.
The car was towed to the AG's office in Butler Township, where it was inspected and searched.Authorities said they found more drug contraband and other meth-making ingredients.The chemicals and components in the vehicle were enough to convince the state drug agent that together they constituted a “non operational functional (meth) lab,” documents said.The Butler County Hazardous Materials Team was eventually called and disposed of the chemicals.Attorney general's office investigators later learned both defendants made numerous purchases of Sudafed, an over-the-counter decongestant that contains pseudoephedrine, documents said.Police questioned Zachory Williamson, who allegedly admitted buying the drugs and knowing they are used to make meth. But he denied he was involved in manufacturing the drug. He claimed his role was only to buy the ingredients.“Zachory told me there are others involved,” Carlson said in charging documents, “but he would not say who else was involved or where the drug was manufactured.”District Judge Wayne Seibel on Wednesday arraigned both Williamsons on charges of possession with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, illegal possession of chemicals used to produce meth, and conspiracy, all felonies.Additionally, both defendants are charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.Zachory Williamson also is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, speeding, careless driving and possession of marijuana.The elder Williamson and his son are jailed on $35,000 and $30,000 bail each, respectively.
