DSP arrest Magnolia man in connection to Meth lab operation

Members of the Delaware State Police Kent County Drug Unit say they arrested a Ronald Hawkins, 30, of Magnolia, following a three month investigation into the manufacturing of Methamphetamine at a residence on Millchop Lane.

Troopers say around 11:15 A.M. Tuesday, the DSP Kent County Drug Task Force, along with the Kent County Governor’s Task Force, Troop 3 and DNREC, responded to the residence to conduct a search warrant, based on knowledge from an investigation that a possible meth lab was at the residence.

Troopers say upon arrival, Hawkins was observed in a shed on the property acting suspicious.  A short time later, police say Hawkins left the residence and responded to the Walmart in Camden, where Troopers contacted him and found key ingredients used to manufacture meth, inside his vehicle.

DSP say they then took Hawkins into custody, and at that time, the search warrant was executed at the residence. Upon conducting a search of the property, detectives say they located equipment and component mixtures of the manufacturing stages of Meth along with key ingredients in making the drug, Methamphetamine.

According to police, the evidence was collected and hazardous materials were removed with the assistance of DNREC. Police say it was during the removal of the bottles that one ignited into flames.

Troopers say there were also three small children at the residence and the Division of Family Resources responded to the scene. The children were turned over to a family member, and there were no injuries.

Police say Hawkins was taken to Troop 3 and processed and charged with Operating a Clandestine Lab, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Hawkins was remanded to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of $20,000.00 cash bond and ordered to have no contact with the children present in the residence.