NEWTON GROVE — A breaking and entering call led to the discovery of a meth lab at a residence just north of Newton Grove Tuesday night.

Brandy Nicole Arrieta, 32, of 95 Artesia Springs Lane, Dunn, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession/distribution of methamphetamine precursors; one count of manufacturing methamphetamine; one count of possession of methamphetamine; and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Arrieta was placed in the Sampson County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond.

According to reports from the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, it was Arrieta who reported the breaking and entering call at her home.

Upon arriving at the Arrieta residence, deputies encountered a female, who had reportedly made illegal entry into the home to locate her boyfriend. The deputies searched the residence and found the boyfriend hiding in a shower. They also located Arrieta barricaded in her bedroom, unable to open the door without assistance.

When the deputies forced the door open to assist Arrieta, they observed multiple components used in the production of methamphetamine. The deputies immediately evacuated the residence and requested investigators from the Special Investigations Division. They, along with the SBI Clandestine Meth Lab Response team executed a search warrant on the residence. After several hours, the meth lab components were processed and seized, in addition to two grams of methamphetamine.

A hazardous materials clean-up crew responded to the scene to take possession of the meth lab components. The Newton Grove Fire Department responded as required by safety protocol, and the Newton Grove Police Department responded as mutual aid on the initial breaking and entering call.

Arrieta declined prosecution of the female who had made illegal entry into her residence; she was released at the scene.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.