By Emma Rausch
WABASH,IN Two Wabash men face methamphetamine-related charges after an anonymous person tipped off the Wabash County Drug Task Force on Monday, July 18, that a possible drug lab was in process in the 700 block of Courtland Avenue.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Det. Ryan Baker received a tip Monday that Ronald Skaggs, 44, and Phillip A. Johnson, 46, were in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine behind Johnson’s residence on Courtland Avenue, along the creek at the back edge of the property.
Task Force officers were joined by Deputy Max Cox and K-9 partner Cato before initiating the bust, the affidavit continued.
Officers approached the scene and took both men into custody, according to the court documents.
While arresting Johnson, Officer Matt Shrider pulled a 12-ounce Mountain Dew bottle from a fire as well as a bottle cap with a hose attached, according to the affidavit.
“This bottle is referred to as an HCI generator and is used while manufacturing methamphetamine,” Shrider said. “This battle was still generating smoke (hydrochloric acid).”
The bottle tested positive for hydrochloric acid gas, according to the affidavit.
Officers located a sports bottle containing “white and pinkish granular solids” along the creek and a plastic bag floating down stream, the court documents continued.
“I examined the contents of this bag and found it contained a bi-level liquid,” Shrider said. “This is caused by methamphetamine oil separating from an organic solvent.”
Officers continued their search the property with permission from the residence’s owner, Johnson’s mother, the affidavit continued.
Along the creek, officers found a 20-ounce Mountain Dew bottle filled with water, a mobile phone, a large orange bowl containing water and a coffee filter, several coffee filters, a 1-gallon Zip-Lock style bag containing an off-white pasty substance, plastic sports drink bottle with pink and white granular solids, two open instant ice packs containing a white bead-like substance and a 5-gallon bucket containing a glass mason jar containing a dark colored liquid, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Officers also located several empty beverage bottles and an empty pill bottle, the documents continued.
The off-white pasty substance and the bi-level liquid were sent to the Indiana State Police Laboratory for further testing, according to Shrider.
Skaggs and Johnson were both charged with felony dealing in methamphetamine, felony possession of methamphetamine and felony illegal possession of chemical reagents or precursors.