Deputies in North Texas bust lab producing strong hallucinogenic DMT

PARKER COUNTY, Texas (KWTX) - The Parker County Sheriff’s Office Special Crimes Unit conducted an investigation that led to the discovery of a lab producing a strong hallucinogenic known as Dimethyltryptamine (DMT).

Jonathon Richard Schrock, 46, was arrested on a charge of manufacturing and delivery of controlled substance (penalty group 2 over 400 grams) for his suspected role in the manufacturing of DMT, the sheriff’s office said.

The lab was located in the 100 block of South Mountain Ridge in southern Parker County, deputies said.

According to Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier, DMT is manufactured by combining certain substances with toxic chemicals, creating a chemical reaction resulting in the formation of a liquid narcotic hallucinogenic.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), substances like DMT have a high abuse and addiction potential with no accepted medical use.

Investigators established probable cause to obtain a search warrant for the South Mountain Ridge property. On Aug, 2, SCU investigators worked in joint cooperation with the Parker County Regional SWAT, DEA, Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force, and the Texas Department of Public Safety during the execution of the search warrant.

Law enforcement authorities located the DMT lab containing more than 29 gallons of DMT liquid, found in various stages of the manufacturing process, as well as precursor substances for manufacturing DMT.

The liquid DMT was being infused into vaping devices and later sold, deputies said. It is estimated that 29 gallons seized would have resulted in about 2 kilograms of finished product.

Schrock was selling vaping cartridges for $60 each which contained approximately 0.15 gram of DMT, the sheriff’s office said. Two kilograms of DMT would equate to over 13,300 cartridges with an estimated street value of nearly $800,000.

Investigators also located and seized methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and psilocybin mushrooms on the property. DEA personnel assisted SCU investigators with the investigation and the seizure of evidence.

The Tarrant County Regional Auto Crimes Task Force investigators located a stolen vehicle, a stolen camper, and a stolen trailer on the property.

Sheriff Authier said he appreciates the continuing assistance from local and federal law enforcement agencies when investigating large cases and conducting search warrants of this magnitude.

“Their assistance is invaluable when it comes to dismantling illegal drug labs,” said Sheriff Authier, “We owe a great deal of the successful outcome to these partnerships.”

Authier said the investigation is ongoing with additional arrests anticipated.

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