HOUGHTON COUNTY — A 35-year-old Houghton County man was arrested Monday for charges relating to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, illegal possession of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine and maintaining a drug house/vehicle.

Through the course of their investigation, detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) determined the suspect and other conspirators — whose names have not been released as of this publication — have been purchasing various components that are used to manufacture meth in a process that is commonly known by law enforcement as “one pot” or “shake and bake” meth labs.

According to USPET, this method of manufacturing meth consists of a chemical reaction when users mix specific household chemicals together with pseudoephedrine. It is extremely dangerous and can release harmful gases or cause a violent explosion if it is not handled properly.

On Monday, UPSET detectives identified the suspect as he left a store where he had just purchased precursor ingredients used in manufacturing meth.

Officers from the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office and Houghton City Police Department arrested the suspect outside of his vehicle. Detectives from UPSET, who are trained to dismantle clandestine labs, conducted a search of the suspects’ vehicle and seized several components necessary to manufacture meth.

Further evidence indicating the suspect has manufactured meth on multiple occasions over the previous weeks was also seized.

The suspect was lodged at the Houghton County Jail.

Detectives from UPSET were assisted by the Houghton County Prosecutor’s Office, Houghton County Sheriff’s Office, Houghton City Police Department, Hancock City Police Department, Houghton and Hancock City Fire Departments and Superior Service Towing.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.