Pubdate: Sat, 28 Feb 2009
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Author: Matthew Claxton
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?208 (Environmental Issues)

DRUG WASTE DUMPED IN PARK

More than 200 litres of liquid had leaked from broken containers, but 
quick response minimized damage, police say

Police, firefighters and the B.C. Ministry of the Environment had to 
clean up a mess left by drug dealers on the edge of Derby Reach 
Regional Park on Friday.

A park employee found the dump site, in the 10700 block of Allard 
Crescent, said Staff Sgt. Mike Harding of the RCMP Drug Enforcement Branch.

The drums and pails, some of them broken and spilling, had been left 
there overnight. About 200 litres of toxic waste had been spilled 
onto the ground.

Harding said thanks to the quick discovery, there is minimal 
environmental damage. ON Friday, a contractor was in the process of 
removing the waste safely.

Most hazardous drug waste comes from the creation of methamphetamines 
and ecstasy. Corrosive chemicals including sulphuric acid, sodium 
hydroxide and hydrocholoric acids are used, along with acetone, 
ether, methanol, iodine and lithium.

This is not the first time Langley emergency crews have been called 
out to deal with waste left from drug labs. It has been found in 
barrels or bins at several other locations around the Township in 
recent years, usually in rural areas or parks.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom