Federal authorities broke up a methamphetamine lab around 6 a.m. Friday at 600 Crossover Court in the Emerald Farm neighborhood after several months of surveillance, according to the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.Residents Toby Alan Thomas, 34, and Rose Ann Johnson, 31, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamines after their home was searched Friday, authorities said. USAMD spokeswoman Marcia Murphy did not know the nature of their relationship. The Drug Enforcement Administration learned that Thomas had been ordering and receiving items used to make methamphetamines since March, authorities said. The items included iodine crystals, lab thermometers and glassware, heating mantles, safety matches and Alavert D-12 -- a drug used to treat allergies and sinus problems. Murphy did not say where the items were purchased from. She did not know how much methamphetamines could be produced by the lab. While doing surveillance on the home in July and August, DEA agents found multiple items in the trash used to make methamphetamines, authorities said. They included the following: Several plastic bags with small amounts of a white powdery substance inside them on Aug. 11. One of the bags tested positive for cocaine. Multiple items used to make the drug were found, including plastic cups containing a clear crystal-like substance, a beaker with a clear plastic tube that had white residue, a wooden stirring stick with an unknown red residue on it and an empty box of Aleve-D Sinus & Cold medicine on Aug. 13. Numerous coffee filters with white and red residue on them and eight boxes of 30-count Non-Drowsy Reactine allergy decongestant tablets on Aug. 18. An empty bottle of Whink Rust/Stain Remover containing hydrofluoric acid, razor blades and rubber tubing with red residue on them, and plastic cups containing white residue.Authorities also found multiple receipts from July to August in the trash from stores in Frederick showing the purchase of pseudo-ephedrine tablets. Thomas was arrested Friday morning while authorities continued to search for Johnson on Friday afternoon, Murphy said. Each face a $2 million fine and minimum jail sentence of five years or a maximum sentence of 40 years.
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