MILLS

HOUGHTON — A Houghton County man remains lodged in the county jail facing charges relating to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of meth elements and maintaining a drug house/vehicle.

Jody Mark Mills, 35, was arrested Monday by officers of the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET), and information from the Houghton County Sheriff’s office indicates he remained lodged as of Wednesday afternoon. According to a press release from UPSET, through investigative techniques, detectives determined the suspect and other conspirators have been purchasing various components that are used to manufacture methamphetamine in a process that is commonly known by law enforcement as “one pot” or “shake and bake” meth labs. According to UPSET, this method of manufacturing meth consists of a chemical reaction when users mix specific household chemicals together with pseudoephedrine. UPSET said, this method is extremely dangerous as it can release harmful gases or cause a violent explosion if it is not handled properly.

The press release states on Monday detectives from UPSET identified Mills as he left a local store where he allegedly had just purchased precursor ingredients used in manufacturing meth. Officers from the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office and Houghton City Police Department arrested him outside of his vehicle. Detectives from UPSET, who are trained to dismantle clandestine labs conducted a search of the Mills’ vehicle. Detectives seized a number of components necessary to manufacture meth as well as evidence indicating the suspect has manufactured meth on multiple occasions over the previous weeks.

Mills next appearance in Houghton County Circuit Court is expected later this month. 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.