Meth lab found at Cranston housing complex; 2 men charged

Two men are in federal custody after a raid on a meth lab at a Cranston housing complex.

Nicholas Selser, 33, and Michael Fortes, 48, of Cranston, are alleged to have manufactured the drug inside their apartment at the D’Evan Manor Housing Complex on Cranston Street, according to a joint release from U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist and Michael Ferguson, the acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) New England Field Division.

According to the release, Cranston Police, the DEA Drug Task Force and the DEA Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team of New Hampshire executed a search warrant at the apartment on Feb. 18, seizing “various chemicals, supplies and items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.”

The release indicates that authorities found evidence that methamphetamine had been manufactured in the apartment on approximately 11 previous occasions, with the “one pot” – or “shake and bake” – method having been utilized. That process, the release states, is a “simple but potentially dangerous method of manufacturing” the drug, and is “prone to cause fires and can sometimes cause explosions.”

Authorities noted that the D’Evan complex is densely populated and houses a large number of elderly residents.

Selser and Fortes are specifically being charged with one count each of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of precursor chemicals to manufacture methamphetamine, and possession of equipment, products and material which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams is prosecuting the case.

The case became a point of discussion during Monday’s meeting of the City Council. President John Lanni questioned how the two suspects were able to gain residence in the D’Evan complex.

“It bothers the hell out of me,” he said.

Carlos Lopez Estrada, Mayor Allan Fung’s chief of staff, said D’Evan is a private facility that falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rather than the Cranston House Authority. He also said the residence requirements for such facilities have broadened in recent decades.

Plans were made to consult with Elaine Woloohojian, the housing authority’s executive director, regarding the protocols currently in place.