Man Arrested For Allegedly Having Meth Lab

Thursday, Waterford Police apprehended an East Lyme man who allegedly had a methamphetamines lab inside his car.

Justin Murphy, 20, of 3 Whittlesey Court, Niantic was charged Thursday with operating a drug factory, criminal attempt to possess methamphetamines, possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, second-degree forgery, possession of less than .5 ounces of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Earlier in the day, East Lyme police stormed Murphy’s home after suspecting he was making methamphetamines there, according to Waterford Police Lt. Brett Mahoney. Murphy had already left, and allegedly brought the materials and supplies needed to make methamphetamines into his car, Mahoney said.

East Lyme police sent out a description of the car, including the license plate number, Mahoney said. Several hours later, a Waterford officer spotted the car from the description and pulled over Murphy, Mahoney said. Then East Lyme Police's  K-9 team, the state police and Waterford police searched the car and arrested Murphy, he said.

“It was great cooperation between the (state, East Lyme and Waterford Police) Departments,” Mahoney said.