HOUGHTON — On Monday, detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team arrested a 35-year-old Houghton County man for charges relating to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, illegal possession of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine and maintaining a drug house/vehicle.

Through investigative techniques, detectives determined the suspect and other conspirators have been purchasing various components that are used to manufacture methamphetamine in a process that is commonly known by law enforcement as “one pot” or “shake and bake” meth labs. This method of manufacturing meth consists of a chemical reaction when users mix specific household chemicals together with pseudoephedrine. This method is extremely dangerous as it can release harmful gases or cause a violent explosion if it is not handled properly.

On Monday, detectives from UPSET identified the suspect as he left a local store where he had just purchased precursor ingredients used in manufacturing meth. Officers from the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office and Houghton City Police Department arrested the suspect outside of his vehicle. Detectives from UPSET, who are trained to dismantle clandestine labs, conducted a search of the suspects’ vehicle. Detectives seized a number of components necessary to manufacture meth as well as evidence indicating the suspect has manufactured meth on multiple occasions over the previous weeks.

The suspect was lodged at the Houghton County Jail. No further information is being released at this time since the investigation is ongoing.

Detectives from UPSET were assisted by the Houghton County Prosecutor’s Office, Houghton County Sheriff’s Office, Houghton City Police Department, Hancock City Police Department, Houghton and Hancock City Fire Departments and Superior Service Towing.