Matthew Peterson, 34, David Neely, 34 and Jayne Stout-Manuel, 36, all from Albert Lea, were arrested for possession of substances with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, a felony, on Friday afternoon.

According to the release, at approximately 2:15 p.m., a local pharmacy contacted a Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force agent to report Peterson purchasing ephedrine. Reports state he was believed to be suspicious due to his behavior and appearance to be under the influence.

The agent contacted another local pharmacy and found that Stout-Manuel had purchased ephedrine at that pharmacy just prior to receiving the call about Peterson. The agent knew that Stout-Manuel and Peterson were in a relationship and lived in the same residence.

The agent located the suspect vehicle on Front Street and followed it until it pulled into an address on Plainview Avenue.

The agent observed the driver, who he recognized as Neely, exit the pickup and run towards the open garage at the residence and throw something in the garage, which was found to be ephedrine.

A search warrant was executed on the vehicle that the three were riding in, where the agent and an Albert Lea police officer located a coffee filter with a powdery substance, glass pipe, with burned residue, and corner baggies with residue that all field tested positive for meth.

Stout-Manuel was also charged with fifth-degree possession of methamphetamine.