AUBURN — A couple who lived in a mobile home in Livermore Falls where authorities believe they were making methamphetamine were charged with felonies Tuesday.

John Josey, 44, and Christina Stanford, 35, of 249 Fayette Road were arrested on Feb. 27 after drug agents had been tipped off that the couple had been buying large amounts of pseudoephedrine, the prime ingredient used as a precursor drug needed in the manufacture of meth.

Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive central nervous system stimulant. Manufacturing it can create toxic and potentially explosive gases.

An Androscoggin County grand jury handed up indictments Tuesday against the couple for a single count each of unlawful operation of a methamphetamine laboratory, a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Nicholas Gulliver wrote in a report filed in court that the couple had bought many boxes of cold/allergy over-the-counter products that contain pseudoephedrine at stores in Auburn, Farmington, Jay and Livermore Falls.

Agents executed a search warrant on Feb. 26 at the couple’s home, where they found Josey “actively using a ‘one pot’ method” to make meth, Gulliver wrote in his report.

The couple admitted to making and using meth.

Josey said he cooked the product in the bedroom at their mobile home and Stanford said she bought ingredients for Josey.

They said they had been engaged in the activity for about a year.

Agents also collected surveillance video of the couple buying the cold/allergy products at stores.

Stanford was released on her personal recognizance with a supervision contract. Josey is being held at Androscoggin County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. He is scheduled for a court appearance on Friday.

cwilliams@sunjournal.com

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