3 agencies bust meth lab in China Grove; suspect connected to earlier lab in Kannapolis

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

CHINA GROVE ó Local, state and federal investigators raided a China Grove home Tuesday and seized ěcomponents of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory,î according to the Rowan County Sheriffís Office.
Sheriffís deputies and agents with the State Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Postal Service executed a search warrant at 476 Emma Road.
ěEvidence found at this location leads investigators to believe that Shane Keith Moore was manufacturing methampetamine in a workshop located behind the residence at this address,î a Sheriffís Office press release said.
Investigators three firearms, two computers and various items of paraphernalia.
ěThe hazardous components of the meth lab were destroyed on site,î the Sheriffís Office reported. ěNo methamphetamine was actually located.î
Moore, 33, who lives at 476 Emma Road home, is charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of immediate precursor chemicals with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, maintaining a place for controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under $100,000 secured bond. Heís scheduled to have a first appearance in court Thursday.
The Sheriffís Office said Tuesdayís seizure is related to a March 19 raid of a meth lab at 1924 Troutman Hill Road in Kannapolis. In that March raid, Matthew Joel Craft was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.
After Tuesdayís raid in China Grove, officials also charged Moore with taking part in the meth lab on Troutman Hill Road. Those additional charges are: possession of immediate precursor chemicals with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, possession with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine.