50-Pound Fertilizer Buy Leads to Meth Lab Discovery, Police Say

When “an unknown male” purchased 50 pounds of chemical fertilizer from the Northampton County Farm Bureau Cooperative in Tatamy, it aroused suspicion.

According to court records, Tatamy police Cpl. Keith Snyder learned of the purchase and shared what he knew with Pen Argyl Police Chief David Strawn.

Strawn then notified the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office with a name of the suspicious buyer.

Kyle Jon Fogel, 38, was arrested Wednesday after an agent with the Attorney General’s office and Strawn conducted a search of his Pen Argyl home at 203 George St.

There was no farming or even gardening going on at Fogel’s home, according to court papers. According to Agent Aaron Laurito, Fogel was assembling the materials to start a methamphetamine factory in his home.

Fogel was charged with causing or risking a catastrophe, a first-class felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arraigned before on-duty District Judge Roy Manwaring of Bethlehem and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.

The farm bureau cooperative is a shareholder-owned organization that bulk- purchases farming supplies and sells them at a discount to members.