PRINTS FOUND IN METH BUST

City police are checking their fingerprint database in a bid to find the
gang behind a giant illegal meth lab raided last week.

Drug squad Det. Darcy Strang said while no one was in the west-end
warehouse when it was raided, a number of fingerprints were found.

"We found fingerprints and other items," Strang said yesterday.

"We have one suspect in mind, but there is a bit more work I want to do
before getting a warrant issued.

"That work could take until January."

Police estimate there were enough dangerous chemicals in the warehouse at
17826 107 Ave. to level six city blocks if they exploded.

Two Health Canada experts were brought in to help safely dismantle the drug
production line and take samples from it.

"It could have been a pretty explosive situation if it wasn't handled
right," Strang said.

"And it was important to take the samples as evidence in court.

"Mind you, we also have 5 1/2 pounds of the finished product that we found
on the premises."

The equipment made to manufacture the meth has been taken away for toxic
disposal.

Strang said there are almost certainly other large scale methamphetamine
labs in the city.

The one found on Nov. 29 had only been in existence for about nine days. It
was found when the landlord of the warehouse became suspicious because the
address and contact number given by the renter didn't check out.