News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2007
Contact: Erin McKenzie-Mulvey
212 337-2906

DEA Takes Down Methamphetamine Lab In New York State

NOV 29 -- (New York, NY) - Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Field Division Special Agent in Charge John P. Gilbride and Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore, announced today the dismantling of a methamphetamine laboratory in Cortlandt Manor.

On November 29, 2007 during a joint investigation by the Westchester District Attorney Narcotics Initiative (W-DANI), the DEA and the New York State Police, a search warrant was executed at 1316 Washington Avenue in Cortlandt Manor.

The raid resulted in the arrest of Robert Dymes (DOB 09/21/50) of 1316 Washington Avenue, Cortlandt Manor, New York. Dymes was charged with Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine in the Third Degree, a Class "D" Felony and Criminal Possession of Precursors of Methamphetamine, a class “E” Felony.

Between September 10, 2006 and October 26, 2007, Dymes was allegedly purchasing pseudoephedrine-based products from area pharmacies. During the raid, police seized grinders, solvents (naptha), separator funnels, muriatic acid (a reagent) and pseudoephedrine, a methamphetamine precursor, all of which are necessary for the manufacture of "Crystal Meth."

During the investigation, Dymes admitted that he had manufactured "Crystal Meth" on 100 occasions over the past four years at his Washington Avenue home.

This is the first known methamphetamine laboratory of this size found in Westchester County and the first methamphetamine laboratory raid and prosecution done by the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.

Dymes is scheduled to appear in Courtland Town Court on November 30, 2007.

He faces four years in state prison on the top charge.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Luzio, chief of the Narcotics Bureau, will prosecute the case.