Perryville man arrested on meth charges after search yields lab

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A Perryville man out on parole is back in law enforcement custody after authorities discovered a meth lab in his residence.

The Perry County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant Thursday afternoon at 1025 Old St. Mary's Road, Apt. 3 for drug manufacturing equipment and paraphernalia.

"We had information that led us to believe there was a methamphetamine lab located in the apartment," said Sheriff Gary Schaaf.

Deputies seized a meth lab, paraphernalia and other drugs.

"This individual had almost everything needed to manufacture methamphetamine," Schaaf said. "And certain paraphernalia located in the apartment also indicates that the use of the illegal drug and others had been going on."

Shawn M. Wenzel, 23, of that address, is charged with two felonies for possession of chemicals to create a controlled substance and meth-related paraphernalia and a misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia. He is currently in the Perry County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash-only bail.

"Wenzel had just gotten out of prison a few weeks ago and is on parole," Schaaf said. "Now he will probably go back to prison to finish his original sentence for stealing related charges and will then have to contend with the new drug charges."