METH LAB SPARKS EVACUATION

The Discovery Of A Crystal Meth Drug Lab In A Burnaby Apartment Building
Forced The Evacuation Of 15 Tenants Early Friday Morning.

Burnaby RCMP were alerted to the drug lab around 5:15 a.m. when a tenant
reported mass flooding from the suite above. The apartment manager entered
the sixth floor apartment and discovered the clandestine lab.

Burnaby Fire Department confirmed that nine suites suffered water damage
from the flooding. At press time, police had not determined how many suites
were exposed to the toxic and combustible chemicals used in the production
of the illegal drug, or how long the apartment dwellers would remain evacuated.

"What police in the Lower Mainland are finding is that meth labs are
transient, just like (marijuana) grow operations," said Corp. Pierre
Lemaitre, media liaison officer for the Burnaby RCMP. "They can be found
anywhere."

Evacuated tenants of the 18-storey apartment, located in the 1900-block of
Woodway Place near Brentwood Town Centre, were taken to a nearby apartment
lobby and assisted by City of Burnaby's emergency services.

The first RCMP officer on the scene was exposed to some of the chemicals in
the apartment and was treated by paramedics after. She suffered from eye
and sinus irritation.

More and more meth labs are being discovered in the Lower Mainland as the
drug grows in popularity, said Lemaitre. Unlike marijuana grow ops, that
export most of their product to the United States, meth labs produce for
the local market, he said.

"What really concerns us is the target market for this drug is our youth.
This is a highly addictive drug."

Police aren't shocked to find a meth lab in an apartment. "If we find one
we'd be very foolish to think that's the only one," said Lemaitre. "With
these labs there are two common denominators: the criminal element is
running the show and its being driven by money."

Meth, or methamphetamine, is a highly addictive central nervous system
stimulant that can be manufactured in a bathroom using legally purchased
chemicals and drugs. It can be smoked, snorted, injected or swallowed. Also
known as speed, ice, crystal, crank, among other names, it produces
temporary hyperactivity, euphoria and the feeling of increased energy. It
is highly addictive.

Investigators are trying to determine who the tenant of the apartment was.

Burnaby Fire Department responded to the call and helped decontaminate
investigation officers dressed in hazardous material suits. Health Canada's
clandestine drug lab team also responded to determine the chemicals in the
suite and to dismantle the lab. A variety of acids and acetotes were found.

Police are asking anyone with information on the lab to contact Cst. Busch
at 604-294-7922 or CrimeStoppers at 604-669-TIPS.