PUBLIC ASKED TO KEEP EYES OPEN FOR DRUG OPERATIONS

The head of Halton police's drug squad has advised Milton residents to
beware of makeshift drug operations in both commercial and residential
locations around town.

Det. Sgt. Nish Duraiappah said police rely on the public to help make
them aware of suspicious goings-on to catch narcotics operations in
Milton.

He said increasingly residents should be keeping their eyes open, not
only for marijuana grow-operations, but also chemical operations,
which are becoming more prevalent in Canada.

His warning comes weeks after approximately 166 kg of MDMA powder and
47 kg of methamphetamine, worth $1.5 million, were seized from storage
facilities in Milton and Oakville. They were part of a larger $7.5
million haul, which included 142,000 ecstasy pills found in Burlington.

In addition to the narcotics and paraphernalia, police also found
about $58,000 in cash at a residence.

"This is a good opportunity to draw attention to what can be out there
in the community," he said.

"Canada is deemed one of the top exporters of chemical drugs. So
although it is still infrequent to find them in Halton, it's safe to
say that more chemical drug labs will be detected in the GTA in future."

Some of his advice includes looking out for infrequent visits to
locations by people at irregular times of the day or night; attempts
to conceal license plates; or the transfer of chemicals or large
containers from vehicles into locations.

But it's not all about what neighbours can see, as smell can also be
an indicator of a drug lab.

Duraiappah said the smell of licorice, ether, sulphur or other
chemicals that resemble cat urine can be giveaways, as they're often
used when making ecstasy or methamphetamine.

He added that what comes out of these operations include unsafe
ecstasy pills that are highly marketable and labeled with stamps
geared toward younger people.

As a result of three co-ordinated searches by Waterloo Regional
Police, a 30-year-old Burlington man and a 33-year-old Waterdown man
face numerous charges including possession of a controlled substance
for the purpose of trafficking and production of a controlled substance

Anyone who suspects the presence of a drug lab should contact local
police at (905) 825-4777, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).