By Staff
BUCHANAN – Buchanan resident, allegedly making meth in his apartment, was found to have rigged a device to obtain power, causing a fire.
On Oct. 11 at around 2:43 p.m., the Buchanan Fire Department responded to a report of smoke in or around 601 W. Fourth Street in the City of Buchanan. This is the Buchanan Place Apartments located across the street from Buchanan Middle School.
Buchanan police officer David Capron and Officer Kaycee Huston arrived just prior to the fire department and discovered that the suspicious smell or smoke was coming from 609 W. Fourth St. and not 601 as was dispatched. Fire Department units were directed to the correct address by the officers.
The firemen who entered the apartment soon released that the apartment dweller, Larry Morris, 33, of Buchanan, had rigged a device to obtain electrical power.
The power had been turned off to the unit by the electric company for financial reasons. The apartment dweller rigged a system to obtain a source of power to run small electrical devices such as a radio and small lights. He used a 12-volt car battery connected to a converter which was connected to a battery charger which was utilizing the electrical ground system in the apartment to produce and sustain a power source in the apartment.
It was clear to Buchanan Fire Chief Warren Weaver that the makeshift system was creating an overload situation, which was creating heat and a potentially dangerous fire hazard situation in the apartment.
Weaver and Capron noticed how anxious Morris was to leave the apartment and was seen with a large black suitcase type bag.
The dweller had made it to his vehicle in the parking lot when Weaver and Capron realized that items present in the apartment were consistent with products and equipment used in the manufacturing process of methamphetamine.
Huston stopped Morris before he was able to leave, where it was discovered that the suitcase contained additional products and equipment used in the manufacturing process of methamphetamine, according to police reports.
A white powdery substance, baggies and an electronic weight scale was also found by officers. They believe Morris was operating a meth lab out of the apartment.
Morris was placed under arrest on four felony charges that included possession of meth with intent to deliver, second offense; manufacturing meth, second offense; manufacturing meth within 500 feet of a residence or school; and maintaining a meth lab.
The Berrien County Narcotics unit was called for assistance in the handling of the hazardous materials found in the truck and in the apartment. Officers were at the scene for nearly eight hours conducting the clean up.
The dangers of this scene were reflected in the Berrien County Prosecutor's authorization of three 40-year felony charges on Morris. Buchanan Police have begun a civil forfeiture process to acquire Morris' vehicle which is being alleged he used to transport his lab and meth.
For the public's knowledge, the manufacturing of meth produces strong odors which are difficult for drug dealers to hide.
If a smell of lighter fluid, ether, ammonia or other flammable smelling gases, a meth lab may be near.
Buchanan police encourage you to contact your local agencies to report the suspicious smell.