(image: Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office)
A Big Lake husband and wife are facing multiple counts related to the manufacture of controlled substances after a recent arrest.
The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office reports that an extensive investigation by the Sherburne County Drug Task Force led to the arrests of 34-year-old Kevin Schwietz and 32-year-old Kelsey Schwietz for operating a DMT manufacturing laboratory at their home. Dimethyltryptamine, or DMT, is a hallucinogenic drug that qualifies as a Schedule 1 controlled substance.
Commander Ben Zawacki said the Drug Task Force developed information that there was drug-related activity at a home in the 18900 block of Helen Way in Big Lake, and later executed a search warrant at the home. Investigators reportedly discovered a clandestine laboratory in the attached garage of the residence. Authorities seized some 68 pounds of what they believed to be liquid DMT, along with 61 pounds of powder DMT. Authorities say they also seized 19 grams of methamphetamine, 1 gram of cocaine and 21 grams of psychedelic mushrooms.
Both Kevin and Kelsey Schwietz are charged with first-, third- and fifth-degree controlled substance crimes, along with storing meth-related paraphernalia in the presence of children. Kevin Schwietz was also charged with possession of ammunition after being previously convicted of a crime that prohibits him from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The couple recently made their first court appearances, and their bail was set at 1 million dollars each.
The Big Lake Police Department and the DEA assisted the Sherburne County Drug Task Force.
