Three Arrested in Farmington Meth Lab Operation

Lathan Verry

Hunter C. Stockman

Brian W. Holben

Farmington – The Delaware State Police have arrested three men after information was received into the manufacturing of Methamphetamine (Meth) at a residence west of Farmington.

On Sunday, August 20, 2017 at approximately 3:30 a.m., troopers responded to the 2000 block of Hickman Road, Farmington for a report of subjects manufacturing Methamphetamine in a trailer behind a residence. Upon arrival troopers observed equipment and component mixtures of the manufacturing stages of Meth and detected a strong odor of ammonia. When the Troopers contacted three suspects in the trailer they observed an active "one-pot" on the floor. At that time, the subjects were detained and the Kent County Drug Unit was contacted. Members of the Delaware State Police Kent County Drug Unit (KDU) and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) arrived at the scene and confirmed that a "one-pot" meth manufacturing lab was present on the property. After a consent to search was obtained, components used to manufacture meth along with key ingredients in making the drug were safely collected and seized.

Brian W. Holben, 21 of Farmington, Hunter C. Stockman, 22 of Bridgeville and Lathan Verry, 21 of Greenwood were arrested without incident and transported to Troop 3, Camden where they were formally charged with Operating a Clandestine Laboratory and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. The suspects were arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 7 and committed to James T. Vaugh Correctional Center in default of $6,000.00 secured bond.

Hickman Road was closed for approximately three hours until the scene was deemed safe. No evacuations were ordered as it was determined that there was no immediate hazard to nearby residents.