Narcotics Unit Arrest Two Men On Several Methamphetamine Charges

LINCOLNTON – The Lincolnton/Lincoln County Interagency Narcotics investigators arrested the two men following a four month long investigation. Officers stopped a van occupied by the two men at the intersection of East Main Street and Huss Street Monday night. The driver, David Michael Philbrick, 51, of Ralph Ward Trail, Iron Station, gave officers permission to search the van. Inside they discovered the workings of a mobile meth lab including equipment and working chemicals.



Philbrick is charged with maintaining a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance, Possession with the Intent to Manufacture a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

His passenger Kenneth Wayne Johnson aka “Milo”, 48, of 475 Whitfield Road, Choctaw Beach, Florida was charged with Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, Possession with the Intent to Manufacture a Controlled Substance and Possession of Meth Precursor, all felony charges.


Investigators described the van Philbrick was driving as a “Mobile Meth Lab” because it contained equipment and precursors to make the illegal drug. Narcotics Investigators sealed and secured the van, which will be processed later this week by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency. Officers also seized a small quantity of finished meth.

Johnson and Philbrick are in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond. Both men had a first appearance hearing by Video Arraignment this morning.

The investigation is continuing and more arrests are expected.