‘One-Pot to Prison’ initiative cracks down on meth manufacturing

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) –Law enforcement and local businesses are working to crackdown on methamphetamine before it becomes a widespread problem in the Cape Fear.

New Hanover County District Attorney Ben David describes the ‘One-Pot to Prison’ initiative as an proactive approach.

“This is a team effort that goes beyond law enforcement: all the county agencies, the health department, the DSS, obviously fire. We’ve worked in team like fashion to have the eyes and ears because they’re the ones that encounter these homes,” David said.  “That has been the game changer for us. Knowledge is power and that’s what puts these one-pot cookers in prison and it’s prevented bombs from going off in neighborhoods and apartment buildings here in Wilmington.”

David outlined the approach during a press conference in Wilmington Friday morning.

One recent example was a bust from 2015.

Timothy Severo, with the District Attorney’s Office, says the bust started with the Pseudoephedrine database system.

It led them to Angelika Allen and Jennifer Fisher.  Severo says they were buying the ingredients.

After talking to them, the investigation led authorities to four cookers: Christopher Patelos, Andrew Dudley, Walter McPherson and Jason Schmidt.

David reminds the community that even buying ingredients to make meth is against the law and you will be charged for doing so.

If convicted on meth charges just once, he says your sentence will be much harsher than someone convicted of armed robbery. That’s why David says it’s called ‘One-Pot to Prison’.