Pubdate: Fri, 17 Dec 2004
Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Coast Reporter
Contact:  http://www.coastreporter.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580
Author: Ian Jacques, Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

STREET CREW BUSTS CLANDESTINE LAB

Five suspects face a variety of drug charges after the Sunshine Coast RCMP 
Street Crew took down a clandestine lab in Roberts Creek last Thursday.

The suspects, a 23-year-old woman and four men, aged 31, 32, 34 and 61 were 
arrested by police at the location of the lab and will appear in Sechelt 
provincial court on Feb. 22, 2005. The suspects face a variety of charges, 
including production of gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB), production of 
marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of psilocybin and possession 
of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The arrests on Dec. 9 were the culmination of a seven-month police 
investigation.

After executing a search warrant, the Street Crew located chemicals in five 
55-gallon metal drums and items suitable to produce GHB. A member of the 
RCMP's Clandestine Lab Team and a hazardous materials company were also on 
hand to assist.

Const. Andy Cook said police located marijuana plants, packaged marijuana, 
drying marijuana and a hydroponic marijuana set-up including a marijuana cage.

"A marijuana cage is a rotating wheel, with slots for the plants in the 
sides of the wheel and a central light source that provides light equally 
to all the plants," said Cook. "A central watering source at the base of 
the wheel provides nutrients to the plants as the wheel rotates."

Cook added police are trying to locate a number of other suspects in 
connection with the investigation.

"GHB is normally found as a clear liquid or white powder and is packaged in 
glass, plastic bottles or baggies," Cook said. "GHB is taken orally, with 
the effects lasting two to six hours. GHB has effects similar to those of 
alcohol and is often associated with rave parties. GHB can also cause 
amnesia and drowsiness, and there have been documented incidents of GHB 
being used to facilitate sexual assaults."

This is the second police seizure of a clandestine lab on the Sunshine 
Coast in the past year. An inactive methamphetamine lab was located in 
Sechelt in June.

"The process for producing GHB is relatively simple in comparison to other 
chemical drugs such as methamphetamine," Cook said.

"The presence of clandestine labs and the associated dangers such as fire, 
explosion and chemical contamination is of concern to police and other 
emergency personnel, as well as the general public.

"The seizure of the two labs on the Coast is significant in that seizures 
of chemical drugs by police in this area have increased in the past year. 
The production of a large amount of chemical drugs, as is the case in both 
instances, points towards the scope of the developing problem with chemical 
drugs."

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or other drug related 
crimes is urged to contact police at 604-885-2266 or Crimestoppers at 
604-740-TIPS.
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