AG Henry Closes DMT, THC Manufacturing Lab in Washington County with Arrest of Couple, Seizures of Products and Nearly $300K Cash

July 23, 2024 | Topic: Criminal

Office of Attorney General also filed endangerment charges regarding dangerous chemicals being near two children

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced arrests of a Washington County couple in connection with the closure of a large-scale manufacturing lab to produce DMT, a potent hallucinogenic, Psilocybin mushrooms, and THC products.

The Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation executed a search warrant Monday at Drew and Lauren Divelbliss’s home in Eighty Four, and found approximately $200,000 in illegal narcotics and $300,000 cash, along with a series of rooms that housed the manufacturing operation.

Two children were also at the home, which contained dangerous chemicals used in the manufacturing operation.

Drew Divelbliss, 36, and Lauren Divelbliss, 40, are each charged with felony counts of possession with intent to deliver and two felony counts each of endangering the welfare of children. They were arraigned Monday night and bail was set at $250,000 apiece.

“This was a large-scale, highly-profitable manufacturing operation happening with two children at the home, which was essentially converted into a lab to produce illegal substances,” Attorney General Henry said. “A thorough investigation and great collaboration with law enforcement partners resulted in the shutdown of this production operation and intervention to protect the children.”

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office (Washington County Drug Task Force) assisted in the investigation. Pennsylvania State Police assisted with securing the scene for a search, due to the highly toxic chemicals on the premises.

“The charges for the production of these illegal drugs, a serious offense, were made even more egregious by the presence of children in the home,” said Captain James Curto, Director of the Pennsylvania State Police Drug Law Enforcement Division. “The cooperation shown here between agencies underscores the commitment to protecting our communities and making the Commonwealth safer.”

In all, agents seized about 1,500 grams of DMT — a strong psychedelic with similar structure to Psilocybin mushrooms — valued at $150,000; 300 grams of THC shatter (valued at $45,000); Psilocybin mushrooms; hundreds of packages of THC edibles; 10 pounds of marujuana; and approximately $300,000 cash in vacuum-sealed bags.

All charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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