A new database technology has led state and local law enforcement to bust a meth lab in Eagle River.
The state Department of Justice and Vilas County Sheriff Joe Fath announced the arrests of two people. Investigators obtained a search warrant for a home on US Hwy 45 after review of the National Precursor Log Exchange database revealed individuals residing at the residence had purchased unusual amounts of pseudoephedrine. The database is a real-time electronic log that tracks sales of over-the-counter medications containing pseudoephedrine.
Vilas County Sheriff investigators conducted a routine review of pharmacy logs on the NPLEx database and discovered two people had purchased more than the legal amount of pseudoephedrine within a 30-day period from pharmacies around the state.
Pseudoephedrine, a common cold ingredient, is used to manufacture methamphetamine in small, home-based labs.
Arrested were Stephanie Wolfe and Scott Schmidt. They're charged with six felonies. Their bonds were set at $5,000 and $10,000, respectively.
Last November, Governor Scott Walker signed Assembly Bill 306, which allowed Wisconsin to join the National Precursor Log Exchange Program.
