RFP Staff
♦ Thomas David Martinez,27, AKA “the Chemist”, of 1002 Locke Street in Salisbury, N.C. was charged with possession with intent to sell methamphetamine, trafficking methamphetamine by possession, trafficking methamphetamine by transportation, trafficking methamphetamine by manufacture, manufacture of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of meth precursor chemicals with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a concealed weapon. Investigators found a major meth lab in his Locke Street apartment. Martinez is currently in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $250,000 bond.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office learned Tuesday that Martinez was driving a red Pontiac and had methamphetamine and a 9-mm handgun in his possession. Sheriff’s Office investigators conducted a surveillance near Megan Drive in Rockwell where Martinez was frequently seen. Before long Martinez was spotted and pulled over for a probable cause stop on Dale Earnhardt Road in Rockwell. Martinez was arrested with 29 grams of crystal meth and a fully loaded 9-mm handgun.
A joint investigation team from the Sheriff’s Office, the SBI from the Southern Piedmont Office and the Clandestine Laboratory Response Team, teamed up with the Salisbury Police Department and executed a search warrant at Martinez’s apartment at 1002 Locke Street. In the apartment they discovered Martinez was producing meth with red phosphorous, a highly volatile and very dangerous method.
Investigators also found a second meth lab in a storage unit at 1730 W. Jake Alexander Blvd. Because of the volatility of the chemicals employed in Martinez’s alleged lab, a site safety officer and chemist from the SBI were drawn to the scene. Today a hazardous waste contractor is being brought in to safely dispose of the meth lab chemicals.
More charges against Martinez are expected today due to the storage unit lab.
