by Kelly Davis
Coastal Journal intern

BATH - The Bath Police Department closed an ongoing investigation Monday morning when two residents were arrested after a methamphetamine lab in a backyard shed was found.  Items seized during the investigation included ephedrine and iodine, both components in the manufacturing methamphetamine. 

Arrested were Walter Kruse, 42, and Beth Grasser, 35, of 2 Shaw Street.  They were taken into custody around 10:30 a.m. and brought to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

Bennett was charged with manufacturing and furnishing methamphetamine and remains in Two Bridges.  Grassar was charged with an unrelated aggravated trafficking in prescription drugs and was released on bail.

To ensure maximum safety, the Bath Police Department, Maine Drug Enforcement, Department of Environmental Protection, and Brunswick Hazardous Material Team all responded to the call. Three children living with the adults of the house were removed and are now staying with relatives.

During the cleanup, Shaw Street was blocked off at the intersection with Washington Street.  Agents wore haz-mat suits to deal with the chemicals common to methamphetamine production, including ephedrine and iodine, which, according to Bath Police, are volatile.

Methamphetamine is highly addictive, a stimulant that may be smoked, snorted, ingested orally, or injected.  The drug is often used to suppress appetite, but also to get a short high that allows users to stay awake or increase activity levels.  Over the long term, meth can cause anxiety, physical symptoms such as hair loss and insomnia, and mood swings, sometimes with violent behavior.

Both Kruse and Grasser had prior convictions for meth possession in Nevada.

According to Steve McCausland of the Maine Department of Public Safety, the raid in Bath was the second meth lab raided this year.  In February, a lab in Veazie was raided.

“Meth has been a serious problem in other states,” he said.  “But we are only now starting to see it moving into New England.  There have been 24 meth labs raided in the last five years in Maine.”