Illegal DMT Lab Discovered During Johnston County Drug Raid

BENSON, N.C. — A monthlong narcotics investigation led to the discovery of what authorities believe is only the fourth illegal DMT manufacturing lab ever seized in North Carolina.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, executed a search warrant Wednesday at 6186 Benson-Hardee Road, where investigators said they discovered equipment used to manufacture DMT, a powerful hallucinogenic drug.

The property includes a tire shop and several apartments.

Authorities said the suspected operation included an illegal DMT “cooker” and other components used to manufacture the synthetic hallucinogen. Because the lab contained acid and other potentially hazardous chemicals, agents with the SBI assisted in dismantling and cleaning up the operation.

The investigation focused on Jason Gray Peltier, 43, whose listed address is the same location.

Peltier was already in custody when Wednesday’s search warrant was executed. On July 18, deputies arrested him after alleging he broke into a neighboring apartment while nude and exposed himself to two juveniles. He was charged with felony breaking and entering to terrorize and indecent exposure and was being held under a $50,000 secured bond.

Following Wednesday’s search, Peltier was served with eight additional drug-related charges, including felony manufacturing a controlled substance, felony possession of a controlled substance and maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for keeping or selling controlled substances. Bond on the drug charges was set at $500,000 secured, and he was scheduled to make his first court appearance on the new charges Thursday afternoon.

Also arrested during the search was Evan James Evans, 23, of Benson. Evans was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

What is DMT ?
DMT, short for N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that can cause intense hallucinations and alter a person’s perception of reality. It is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it is illegal to manufacture or possess under federal law except for limited research purposes.

Authorities said clandestine DMT labs are rare in North Carolina and can pose safety hazards because the manufacturing process often involves corrosive acids and other dangerous chemicals.

Investigators said Wednesday’s seizure is believed to be only the fourth DMT lab discovered in North Carolina.