CAMDEN — Troopers uncovered a portable meth lab Sunday while executing an arrest warrant west of Camden, police said.
James D. Murphy
Delaware State Police spokesman Sgt. Richard Bratz said Sunday that a preliminary investigation determined the incident occurred around 9:13 a.m., as troopers were on the scene of a warrant attempt in the 5,000 block of Mud Mill Road, Camden.
Troopers were attempting to apprehend James D. Murphy, 37, of Camden-Wyoming, for felony theft charges. The residence had been abandoned and the investigation uncovered that Mr. Murphy was at the abandoned residence with a female. The owner of the property responded to the residence and Mr. Murphy allegedly refused to exit. Sgt. Bratz said that after a lengthy wait, Mr. Murphy and Brittney Ebright, 30, also of Camden-Wyoming, were both taken into custody without incident. Mr. Murphy was allegedly found to be in possession of one bundle of heroin.
Sgt. Bratz said that upon taking Mr. Murphy and Ms. Ebright into custody, a search of the residence revealed several precursor items used to manufacture methamphetamine along with two waste bottles. Members of Delaware State Police Kent County Drug Unit and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control responded and safely collected the evidence. A search was conducted of the residence which allegedly revealed equipment and component mixtures of the manufacturing stages of meth along with key ingredients in making the drug.
Brittney Ebright
Mr. Murphy and Ms. Ebright were transported to Troop 3 where they were charged with operating a clandestine lab, conspiracy second degree and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Mr. Murphy was also charged with possession of heroin and resisting arrest. In addition he was also charged on the previous warrant for theft, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.
He was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 7 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on an $11,500.00 secured bond.
Ms. Ebright was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released on $8,750 unsecured bond.