HUGE METH LAB BUSTED

The Abbotsford Police Department has taken down the largest methamphetamine
lab that a senior Health Canada chemist has ever seen.

Shortly before 9 a.m., Sept. 23 Abbotsford Police patrol units were
summoned to a rural property in the 2500-block of Lefeurvre Rd., in
response to a call of a break and enter in progress. When officers arrived
they discovered a large methamphetamine lab in the residence, prompting
them to quickly contain and secure the area.

The Abbotsford Police Drug Unit, assisted by the RCMP Clandestine Lab Team
and Health Canada chemists, later served a search warrant for the residence
and surrounding property.

What they found has been described by a senior chemist - with 31 years
experience who has attended 160 labs - as the largest methamphetamine lab
he has ever seen.

This lab was contained in the garage and basement area of the residence and
there was approximately $2.5 million worth of methamphetamine located and
seized.

"This was a very sophisticated lab that required a significant amount of
time and energy to set up," said Cst. Casey Vinet, public information
officer with Abbotsford Police. "The operation had the ability to
manufacture more than 12 kilograms every 48 hours. This translates into
single dosage street value of up to $1.2 million."

As in all clandestine labs there were significant health and environmental
concerns and it appears in this case the chemicals were being dumped in the
yard and killing the surrounding vegetation.

"This is just one example of the negligent behaviour of those involved in
these types of operations," said Cst. Vinet.

The Abbotsford Fire Rescue and B.C. Ambulance remained on scene throughout
the investigation because of the dangers associated with the dismantling
and disposal process.

There is no indication that this lab is linked to any other operation
located in recent weeks in the Lower Mainland.

A 26-year-old Vancouver male, who is known to police, was arrested at scene
and appeared in Abbotsford Provincial Court on Monday.

"With the increase in demand for chemical drugs has come an increase in the
number of illicit laboratories to produce them. These labs pose a
significant hazard to not only to the people tasked with responding to them
but the public, who may unknowingly be living in the area of one," said Vinet.