POLICE UNCOVER METH LAB

Police raided a southwest apartment Tuesday night, uncovering what is
thought to be a small methamphetamine lab -- only the second such lab
discovered in the city in 21/2 years.

Five molotov cocktails were also found inside the suite. A
fully-loaded sawed-off shotgun, a rifle and a handgun were seized from
a black Honda parked behind the building.

Hoards of stolen property -- cellphones, stereo equipment and power
tools -- were strewn about the apartment.

A man and a woman were taken into custody at the scene.

A joint forces investigation with police in Edmonton led officers to
the second-floor unit at the Villa Calamo, 1809 17th Street S.W., at
around 6 p.m.

Police said it's likely small amounts of meth were being manufactured
there using the Nazi cold cook method, said Sgt. Roger Morrison of the
drug unit.

There are two common ways of manufacturing meth, but the Nazi method
is by far the easiest. It takes about three hours, compared with up to
72 hours for the red-phosphorous iodine method.

So-called because it was first used by Germany during the Second World
War, the Nazi method can be done in the trunk of a car, a motel suite
or any small room in a house.

The technique employs several dangerous ingredients, including lithium
metal, anhydrous ammonia and ether.

Morrison said the lab wasn't in use when police stormed the apartment
Tuesday. It's not known how long the lab had been in operation or how
much meth it was able to produce, he said.

"It can be an extremely dangerous process," said Morrison.

The Calgary Fire Department's hazardous materials unit, along with its
decontamination truck, assisted in the operation.

The two residents were hosed down by fire crews before being taken
away by police for questioning.

No charges had been laid at press time.