Odor gives up accused meth makers

A chemical odor emanating from a Cape Girardeau apartment led police to the arrest of two Southeast Missouri men accused of manufacturing methamphetamine.

Anthony Dunivan, 35, of Oran, Mo., and Ray Martin, 43, of 908 S. Sprigg St., were charged with felony manufacture of meth. Dunivan was also charged with misdemeanor resisting a lawful detention when he fled from police, according to police spokesman Jason Selzer.

Police received an anonymous call of a chemical odor coming from 908 S. Sprigg St., Selzer said. When the officer arrived, he identified the odor has being associated with anhydrous ammonia. Roommates of the apartment led the officer to a common-area bathroom where a can drained of either was found, Selzer said. Hoses used in the theft of anhydrous were also in the apartment, a probable cause statement read.

The officer learned the suspects responsible for the ether can and hose were in a Ford Taurus, which was spotted shortly after returning to the Sprigg Street address, according to the statement. When an officer pulled the vehicle over, Martin and another occupant stayed while the third, Dunivan, fled. He was later found by a K-9 unit hiding behind a tree near Elm and Fort streets, Selzer said.

Inside the vehicle was a drain cleaner, plastic tubing, coffee filters and salt, all used in the production of meth, according to the statement. A jar of white sludge and a cloudy liquid with a strong anhydrous odor believed to be processing meth was found outside the Sprigg apartment.

Dunivan admitted that he and Martin bought equipment and products, including pseudoephedrine pills, to manufacture meth, according to the statement. He also told officers that he, Martin, and the other occupant in the car went to Illinois and stole anhydrous.

The third person, a woman, had not been charged as of Monday night.

Both Dunivan and Martin had bond set at $20,000, Selzer said.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127