KNOX, Pa. (EYT) — Two local men are facing charges after allegedly purchasing ingredients for the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Court documents indicate that CNET filed charges against 27-year-old Kurt Allen Zacherl, of Emlenton, and 36-year-old Daniel B. Welcomer, of Oil City.

According to a criminal complaint, around 12:21 p.m. on Friday, May 18, Kurt Allen Zacherl and Daniel B. Welcomer went to a grocery store in Knox, and Welcomer purchased a 2.4-gram box of Allergy Relief D 24, which contains pseudoephedrine — an ingredient used in making methamphetamine.

State police observed as Zacherl and Welcomer left the grocery store in a black 2004 Pontiac Grand Am and drove to an area auto supply store where Zacherl entered it while Welcomer stayed in the vehicle. Zacherl returned to the car several minutes later, and state police followed the vehicle west on State Route 208.

The complaint states that Chief Peck then contacted the auto supply store by phone and verified that Zacherl, who had just left the store, purchased two cans of starting fluid, which are items used in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine.

According to the complaint, Chief Peck and another detective had obtained information in the past that allegedly involved Zacherl “cooking meth” using the one-pot method.

Chief Peck then contacted the state police officer by phone and advised him to stop the vehicle Zacherl and Welcomer were in. The vehicle was stopped on State Route 208 at Nickleville Road in Salem Township.

Chief Peck and the detective arrived at the scene within approximately ten minutes of the traffic stop. Welcomer, who was driving, was removed from the vehicle, and Chief Peck interviewed him at the rear of the PSP vehicle.

According to the complaint, Welcomer allegedly admitted that Zacherl was going to use the pills to manufacture methamphetamine behind his house. Welcomer also stated that after he purchased the box, Zacherl purchased two cans of starting fluid at the auto supply store.

Chief Peck then interviewed Zacherl in front of the Pontiac. Zacherl allegedly admitted that he had Welcomer purchase the box for him and he was going to cook meth with it. He also allegedly stated that he purchased two cans of starting fluid. When asked where the other items needed to make meth were, Zacherl said that they were on the way to Cranberry to purchase the other items needed, including batteries and lye, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, when asked what Welcomer was going to get for purchasing the box, Zacherl allegedly stated that Welcomer was going to get half of the product when he was done cooking it.

The vehicle was searched, and the following items were seized:

– Two cans of Johnsen’s Starting Fluid
– An empty box of Allergy Relief D-24 with empty blister packs (pills removed)
– A cigarette wrapper containing ten white pills
– A receipt for the Allergy Relief D-24 purchase, dated May 18, 2018
– Two green pill bottles containing brown powered substance, suspected Kratom
– Two needles, found in Zacherl’s front pocket
– A coffee filter with suspected methamphetamine
– One knife
– $167.00 in U.S. currency
– A ZTE cellphone
– An iPhone

According to the complaint, Welcomer stated that he also purchased a box of Sudafed two days prior and provided the box to Zacherl at work, and Zacherl admitted that he received the box from Welcomer and cooked meth in the woods and then burned everything.

Zacherl Arraigned, Jailed, Awaiting Hearing

Zacherl was arraigned at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, in Magisterial District Judge Amy Long Turk’s office on the following charges:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Conspiracy — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Conspiracy — Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Felony
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor

Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Clarion County Jail.

Welcomer Arraigned, Jailed, Awaiting Hearing

Welcomer was arraigned at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, in Judge Turk’s office on the following charges:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Conspiracy — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor

Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Clarion County Jail.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, with Judge Turk presiding.