Spring Brook man wanted in meth probe
Police say he produced drug at home
Detectives with the Lackawanna County District Attorney's office are looking for a Spring Brook Twp. man who they believe produced methamphetamine in his Watres Road home.
The detectives became aware of the operation at 6 Watres Road on Monday, when 38-year-old Chester Ostrowski's wife, Kerry Lee Gardner, 30, told her probation officer, who relayed the information to them.
Detectives then spoke with Ms. Gardner, who said that she purchased over-the-counter medications, fuel and fertilizer sticks used to produce methamphetamine on behalf of her husband, who is on a list of people who frequently purchase products containing pseudoephedrine compiled by the state attorney general's office.
Pseudoephedrine is a precursor of methamphetamine and is found in some over-the-counter medications.
Ms. Gardner, who had tested positive for methamphetamine in the past and had red, glossy eyes, twitches and acne on her face - all symptoms of methamphetamine use - said Mr. Ostrowski also keeps two loaded guns in the house, where her two children also live, according to a criminal complaint.
The detectives realized that the items Ms. Gardner purchased for Mr. Ostrowski were all necessary components of the "one pot" method of methamphetamine production and secured a search warrant for the family's home.
At about 4:45 p.m., detectives along with agents from the state attorney general's office's clandestine lab response team searched the Watres Road home and found a slew of materials used in methamphetamine production both inside and outside the home, according to the complaint.
One loaded shotgun also was recovered.
After the search, detectives secured arrest warrants for Mr. Ostrowski and Ms. Gardner, who had already been placed in the Lackawanna County Prison on a detainer for her probation violation, detectives said.
Anyone with information on Mr. Ostrowski's whereabouts is asked to contact the Lackawanna County District Attorney's office at 963-6717.
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