Third suspect arrested in connection to Ludington meth lab

PENTWATER TWP. —  A third suspect in connection to a Ludington meth lab on North Harrison Street was arrested Monday, May 18, according to a State Sheriffs Chiefs Enforcement Narcotics Team (SSCENT) press release

Kenneth James Purple, 25, of Scottville, was arraigned in 79th District Court on felony charges of operating/maintaining a laboratory involving methamphetamine and delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine. He is currently lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond. Both charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.

Purple was arrested at a Pentwater Township home by SSCENT detectives and Oceana County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Graham Joseph Crawford, 23, of Ludington and Mara Lynn Wittlieff, 20, of Ludington were arrested earlier this month in connection to the case.

During a Feb. 25 search warrant executed by SSCENT and Traverse Narcotics Team (TNT) in the 200 block of North Harrison Street, several items used in the production of meth were located inside the home.

SSCENT is a multi-jurisdictional task force that serves Manistee, Mason, Oceana and Lake counties. TNT-South is a multi-jurisdictional task force that covers Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford Counties.

Meth production involves the use of hazardous materials and requires specially-trained technicians to clean up the site. Members of the Michigan State Police Methamphetamine Enforcement Team responded to the scene to dismantle the labs and remove the hazardous materials from the residence.

SSCENT asks if you have information about drug activity in your area, to contact them at (800) 994-8477 or contact your local police department.