City man accused of operating meth lab
A tip from a neighbor led to the discovery of a suspected methamphetamine lab in Washington’s West End and the arrest of the resident of a Ewing Street home, his second in the last six years for operating a lab.
William Berdine, 38, of 455 Ewing St., was arrested on charges of operating a meth lab, possession with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance, manufacture with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia and risking a catastrophe.
The caller reported a strong chemical smell coming from Berdine’s home, complaining the frequent fumes might be causing them to suffer neurological problems.
Detective Joseph Fichter decided to go to the home to talk with Berdine. As he approached the house, Fichter said he could smell a slight odor of a chemical. When Berdine opened the door, Fichter said there was a highly noxious odor coming from the residence. Berdine was asked to come out of the house. He reportedly gave police permission to search the home and allegedly told officers he was again cooking meth.
The state police clandestine response team was called to search the home and verified meth was being manufactured inside the residence. The team took and logged evidence seized from the home.
City police charged Berdine in June 2011 with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of an adulterated substance and three counts of possession of paraphernalia after they reported finding the components of a suspected meth lab while assisting adult probation at his home on March 31, 2011.
Police said they found multiple items consistent with creating meth, including pseudoephedrine tablets, a plastic jar with a heating element, mixing bowl, spoon and a cup that tested positive for meth. Police indicated in court documents that it appeared Berdine was manufacturing meth on a small scale. Berdine pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of paraphernalia after the drug possession charges were dismissed at his preliminary hearing.
Berdine was arraigned before District Judge Larry Hopkins on the latest charges and placed in Washington County Jail on $35,000 bond. He is scheduled for a May 10 preliminary hearing before District Judge Robert Redlinger.