Girard Man Allegedly Ran DMT Lab

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Linda Kelly today announced the arrest of an Erie County man suspected of manufacturing and selling "DMT," a psychedelic drug often produced using the root of a plant from South America.

Kelly identified the defendant as Lucas Andrew Youngs, age 28, of 11390 Cross Station Road, Lot 35, Girard.

Kelly said that agents from the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, members of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Meth Task Force and Edinboro Police participated in a coordinated investigation to locate a DMT lab allegedly operated by Youngs.

"Our joint investigations have been very effective in shutting down meth labs and cutting off the supply of synthetic drugs like 'bath salts,' forcing drug dealers and users to search for other alternatives, including DMT," Kelly said. "Today's arrest marks the first seizure of a suspected DMT lab in northwestern Pennsylvania."

Kelly explained that DMT ? Dimethyltryptamine ? is produced using a root typically obtained from sources in South America, often via sale over the Internet. Labs are used to produce a crystal solid, similar to meth, which can be injected, snorted or smoked to generate a "high."

Kelly said that Youngs was arrested at his home today after agents and officers executed a search warrant, seizing quantities of suspected DMT along with various lab-related materials.

Youngs is charged with the sale of DMT along with the prescription drug Suboxone.

Youngs is charged with one count of delivery of DMT, one count of possession of DMT, along with two counts of delivery of Suboxone and two counts of possession of Suboxone.

Youngs was preliminarily arraigned today before Edinboro Magisterial District Judge Denise Stuck-Lewis and lodged in the Erie County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Youngs will be prosecuted by the Erie County District Attorney?s Office.

Kelly thanked the Edinboro Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, clandestine laboratory teams from the Office of Attorney General and State Police, along with members of the Northwestern PA Meth Task Force for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

The A.F. Dobler Hose & Ladder Company and Erie EmergyCare also provided assistance during today?s search.

Kelly noted that this is an ongoing investigation and additional charges are anticipated.