An investigation that began about a year ago culminated with last Wednesday’s arrest of Samuel L. Schaben, 32, following a search of his residence in Meta. He has been charged with manufacturing of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful use of a weapon.

Deputy Richard Jarvis in his report noted that he had received information about a year ago alleging that Schaben traveled to Colorado two or three times a year, and returned with marijuana.

Four months ago, Deputy Jarvis and members of the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force talked to Schaben at his residence, and a request to search the home was denied.

On Aug. 8, Deputy Jarvis conducted a search of the trash can on the road in front of Schaben’s residence. Jarvis noted the can was located on public property and therefore not subject to a warrant or permission to search. Within the can, the deputy found two baggies containing marijuana.

Last Wednesday, Aug. 15, armed with a search warrant, Deputy Jarvis, Deputy Jesse Henson, Lt. Justin Carnes and Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force officers located several pipes, a dugout, a digital scale, and two containers which held yellow wax which field-tested positive for the presence of THC.

A metal cooking pot  containing a large amount of a green leafy substance, 2 glass tubes also containing a large amount of a green leafy substance, and one empty butane can was located on the concrete steps outside the rear door of the residence.

In his report, Deputy Jarvis noted glass tubes are commonly used in the manufacturing of what is commonly referred to as Butane Honey Oil (BHO). The butane can is also used in the process of manufacturing BHO, Jarvis added.

A loaded Mossberg 185k-A 20-gauge shotgun, a loaded CZ52 7.62 TOK handgun, a loaded Beretta PX4 Storm 9mm handgun, and a loaded Marlin 882SS .22 WinMag rifle were located in a back room of the residence.

In the shed directly behind the residence, Jarvis located seven empty butane cans, and one full butane can. Also in the shed were located a large amount of coffee filters, a screwdriver, an electric burner, loose amount of a green leafy substance on a work bench, and one large baggie containing a small amount of a green leafy substance.

“A large amount of a green leafy substance was covering the screwdriver and coffee filters,” Deputy Jarvis wrote in his probable cause statement. “The screwdriver was used to pack the marijuana into the glass tube which is a process in manufacturing BHO. The coffee filters are also used in a step of the process of manufacturing BHO.”

The electric burner, Deputy Jarvis said, is used to heat the THC and butane to evaporate the butane out of the THC, during one of the final steps in manufacturing BHO.

During a search of Schaben’s vehicle, Deputy Jarvis located one marijuana pipe, and a vape pen commonly used to inhale BHO in the center console. A marijuana cigarette was found  in the rear passenger door compartment.

While conducting the search of the residence, Schaben arrived on scene and was taken into custody.

After being booked into the jail, Schaben agreed to an interview, during which Deputy Jarvis asked about the manufacture of HBO.

“You obviously already know so I don’t need to tell you,” Schaben told Jarvis, according to the deputy’s report. “I’m not going to incriminate myself.”

Schaben said that a clear liquid inside glass mason jars located in the shed was homemade moonshine, which he had been manufacturing for personal use.

Bond was set for Schaben at $50,000.