By Cameron Turner and Ashley Babbitt

news@evesun.com

NORWICH – The evening of Wednesday, Feb. 10 saw yet another methamphetamine bust within the City of Norwich, one said to be the largest to date.

The Norwich Police Department responded to 14 Prospect St. in Norwich.

According to the NPD, at approximately 2:02 p.m., a trespass complaint was received. Authorities said that while checking the downstairs apartment located at the address, the property manager discovered several individuals inside.

It was reported the apartment was supposed to be vacant.

Once confronted by the property manager, the suspects left the residence on foot.

Officers of the Norwich Police Department – including K9 Nitro – responded and began searching for the individuals.

The NPD confirmed that two of the suspects were taken into custody within “a couple of minutes.”

“While investigating the complaint, officers observed what they believed to be several ‘One-Pot’ methamphetamine cooking containers throughout the apartment,” said Police Chief Rodney Marsh. “The officers also observed numerous precursors for the production of methamphetamine.”

Detective Purdy confirmed that methamphetamine was being manufactured.

Approximately 2:30 p.m. is when Purdy said the call was made and he could positively confirm that the narcotic drug was present on the property.

Neither Purdy nor Marsh would confirm just how many one-pot method methamphetamines were found, but did say “multiple single pots found.”

Two individuals were arrested, but Purdy said they are seeking at least one other who had taken off when police arrived, which was later confirmed by the chief.

One or both of these individuals who are not in custody are not considered an immediate threat by police, and they’re thought to have no weapons on them, Purdy said.

The NPD arrested:

• Patrick S. Davenport Jr., age 24, of 35 Green Street, Oxford:

- Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine – Class ‘D’ Felony

- Criminal Possession of Precursors of Methamphetamine – Class ‘E’ Felony

- Unlawful Disposal of Meth Laboratory Material – Class ‘E’ Felony

- Criminal Trespass 2nd – Class ‘A’ Misdemeanor

• Alexis D. Braam-Armondi, age 23, of 11 Division Street, Norwich:

- Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine – Class ‘D’ Felony

- Criminal Possession of Precursors of Methamphetamine – Class ‘E’ Felony

- Unlawful Disposal of Meth Laboratory Material – Class ‘E’ Felony

- Criminal Trespass 2nd – Class ‘A’ Misdemeanor

These charges allege that Davenport and Braam-Armondi were unlawfully manufacturing methamphetamine at the residence located at 14 Prospect Street. It’s alleged the two individuals were also in possession of the precursors used to unlawfully manufacture the methamphetamine. The charges also allege that both Davenport and Braam-Armondi, while in the furtherance of a methamphetamine operation, knowingly disposed of hazardous or dangerous material. The disposal created a substantial risk to human health or safety or a substantial danger to the environment. The criminal trespass in the second degree charge alleges the two knowingly entered or remained unlawfully in a dwelling.

“An additional arrest and charges are pending for a third individual that was also inside the residence at the time the property manager first confronted the suspects,” said Marsh.

Police said that during the course of the investigation, numerous ‘One-Pot’ methamphetamine cooking containers were located inside the residence, along with chemicals, accelerants and byproducts. The Norwich Police requested the assistance of the New York State Police – CCSERT (Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team) and the Norwich Fire Department at the scene. All of the involved agencies remained on the scene for several hours while the chemicals, containers and evidence were collected.

Both individuals were arraigned in Norwich City Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility, with bail set at $15,000 for Davenport and $10,000 for Braam-Armondi. The Chenango County District Attorney’s Office assisted in this investigation, as did the Norwich Fire Department, Norwich Code Enforcement and Norwich Emergency Management Office.

“This isn’t a known house. The problem with meth is that it can pop up anywhere, and the people manufacturing it are usually using it,” said Purdy.

The investigation is ongoing at this point.