Traffic stop leads to two meth-making arrests in Wooster

WOOSTER -- Two Wooster residents were arrested Wednesday night after a traffic stop revealed they had numerous chemicals to make meth hidden in their trunk.

Marion Eugene Cecil, 47, and Dana Holliday, 25, both with last known address of 973 Washington St., were arrested for manufacturing and assembly of the drug shortly after 10 p.m.

Senior Medway agent Don Hall said the two were stopped for a traffic violation southbound on Columbus Avenue on the overpass above U.S. Route 30 by Wooster Police with Holliday operating a station wagon. Both were arrested on existing warrants and a K-9 unit sniffed the vehicle and alerted the officer.

The two people are known to law enforcement.

Hall said he searched the vehicle and found items consistent with the making of meth.

He found two Coleman-type coolers in the trunk, one of which smoked when he opened it up.

Once he suited up, Hall said he found a hydrogen chloride generator (which caused the smoke) and leftover chemicals used to make meth such as muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide, lithium batteries and pseudoephedrine, along with filters and funnels.

"Both coolers contained items used to make meth ... what was smoking was leftover from a prior cook," Hall said, adding it is believed they were heading to another location to cook the drug.

Holliday and Cecil were charged in Wayne County Municipal Court on Thursday with one count each of illegal manufacturing of drugs. Holliday posted her bond, according to court records; Cecil is held in jail on a $5,000 bond.

"These one-pot methods continue to be a problem in this area," Hall said.

Reporter Steve Huszai can be reached at 330-287-1645 or shuszai@the-daily-record.com. He is @GeneralSmithie on Twitter.

By STEVEN F. HUSZAIStaff WriterPublished:February 22, 2013 4:00AM

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