Apartments evacuated when meth lab found

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 10, 2012

KANNAPOLIS — Residents of a South Main Street apartment complex were temporarily moved to a shelter after police said they found a methamphetamine lab in one of the dwellings.
Russell Lee Wright, who lives in the apartment where investigators found the meth lab, faces a number of drug-related charges. He was being held in the Cabarrus County jail under $100,000 bond Monday evening.
Authorities learned of the lab’s existence and Wright’s involvement during an investigation by the agency’s vice and narcotics unit, Kannapolis Police Capt. Pat Patty said in a press release.
Sunday evening, detectives went to the apartment and spoke with Wright and a woman there. Wright eventually confessed to having a small meth lab in the apartment, the press release said.
Police contacted the SBI to assist in the investigation and the Red Cross to help with moving the other apartment complex residents to a shelter. Patty said he didn’t know how many residents were moved, but that it was more than 10.
The building at 821 S. Main St. was cleared by investigators Monday afternoon and the residents allowed to return.
Wright, 45, is charged with maintaining a dwelling for controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine precursor and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The woman with Wright was not arrested at the apartment, but she may face charges later, the press release said.