SUGAR-COATED ECSTASY SEIZED

Sugar-coated ecstasy pills have been seized by Territory police in a raid
on a Darwin home which netted drugs worth $2 million.

It is believed to be the first time the sugar-coated, sweet-like ecstasy
drops have been sighted in the Territory.

Police believe the drugs were brought in from overseas.

The ecstasy was found during a raid on a clandestine amphetamine lab
operating in the affluent suburb of Fannie Bay.

"We will make some inquiries to see if there has been any sign of tablets
like this turning up anywhere else in Australia and we will do that with
our interstate counterparts," Drug Squad Senior Sergeant Les Martin said.

The drugs are thought to be sugar-coated as a branding procedure by the
"cook" who made the tablets.

Police raided the Fannie Bay home after a tip off on Saturday from a member
of the public who reported detecting a strong chemical smell coming from
the house. Inside a locked room police found a makeshift lab in operation
producing methylamphetamine, or speed.

Police seized about three litres of liquid methylamphetamine, or liquid speed.

A further 38g of final product powder methylamphetamine was also seized.
Some of it had been bagged for deals.

Sen-Sgt Martin said it appeared the lab was the work of an unemployed
Fannie Bay man, aged 25.

A traffickable quantity of cannabis and cannabis resin, or hash, was also
found in the house, along with a .38 revolver and ammunition.

The man has been charged with a range of drug offences and firearms offences.

He has been bailed to appear in court today.