Man indicted on charges of drug possession, sales

MARCELLA BAIETTO

An Apache Junction man has been indicted on charges stemming from the operation of a drug-manufacturing lab valued at $10,000, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said.

James Love, 43, was the focus of a two-month investigation, officials said. He is accused of selling a variety of synthetic drugs made out of his home in Apache Junction, the Sheriff’s Office said.

According to a PCSO press release sent out Thursday, officials found evidence of Love selling mushrooms and dimethyltryptamine, or DMT.

DMT is a psychedelic drug that is mostly smoked and may cause hallucinations if consumed.

The Sheriff’s Office investigation led to an indictment on multiple drug-related charges, including possession of dangerous drugs and sale of dangerous drugs, officials said.

Love would post about his drug-manufacturing operation on Facebook, officials said.

On Sept. 27, investigators went to Love’s home to arrest him and discovered the clandestine lab, officials said. Sheriff’s officials released a video showing the homemade setup where they suspect Love was manufacturing the drugs.

PCSO describes the lab as “one of the largest and sophisticated labs seen in Arizona.”

Officials were able to seize all equipment found in Love’s home through a search warrant, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Love could face additional charges related to the suspected manufacturing operation, officials added.