A Greene Township man is facing multiple drug-related charges after authorities discovered evidence of a suspected methamphetamine manufacturing operation while firefighters were responding to a house fire in Erie County.
According to a Pennsylvania State Police criminal complaint filed June 10, troopers were contacted by the Kuhl Hose Fire Department and Stancliff Fire Department after crews responded to a structure fire at a residence on Morehouse Road in Greene Township on the night of June 10.
Firefighters reported finding items they believed were associated with the production of controlled substances while extinguishing the blaze.
The complaint identifies the defendant as 36-year-old Paul Pitonyak. Troopers said firefighters discovered items in a rear bedroom that included glass smoking pipes with residue, digital scales, rubber tubing, glassware, lithium batteries, and large containers of acetone. Investigators said the items were consistent with the production and packaging of methamphetamine.
State police responded to the scene and obtained a search warrant for the residence. During a subsequent search, members of the Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Laboratory Response Team reportedly located multiple firearms and additional materials related to the production, manufacture, packaging, and distribution of controlled substances.
Authorities also conducted a search of vehicles on the property. Investigators reported finding containers holding large amounts of suspected narcotics, digital scales, aluminum foil used for packaging narcotics, assorted ammunition, prescription medications, and bulk U.S. currency. Police said the backpack and other items were consistent with drug manufacturing and distribution activities.
A second search warrant was later executed for the vehicles and firearms located on the property. Troopers said they recovered suspected bath salts, chemicals used in the production of bath salts, prescription medications, marijuana, manufacturing equipment, packaging materials, digital scales, and cash. The complaint states that the suspected bath salts field-tested positive for a Schedule I controlled substance.
According to the affidavit, Pitonyak had been charged with violations of Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. The complaint also notes he had also been charged with related offenses in the state of Idaho.
The investigation is ongoing at this time.