RFP Staff
♦ With the meth epidemic ratcheting up and threatening to overtake heroin in Salisbury, N.C. and Rowan County, another meth lab was put out of commission by Rowan County Sheriff Office deputies this past Monday. Joseph Orlando Murdoch, 34, was arrested at his home 1153 Twin Chapel Drive on the outskirts of Salisbury, N.C. after deputies serving civil papers at Murdoch’s residence noticed items long associated with methamphetamine manufacture: Canisters of camping fuel, sulfuric acid beside a two liter bottle with its top removed. Right away the deputies notified the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit who obtained a search warrant for the Twin Chapel Drive address.
The Special Investigation Unit joined with the SBI Clandestine Laboratory Response and raided Murdoch’s meth lair where they found a lab utilizing the “one pot” process for meth manufacture. On the premises along with the “one pot” lab were four hydrochloric acid generators.
Murdoch was arrested and charged with possession of immediate precursor materials, manufacturing methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for keeping and selling methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Murdoch’s bond was set at $101,000 and he is in the Rowan County Detention Center.
