Drug Evidence Truly Explosive, So It's On Video

[Alfa]

DRUG EVIDENCE TRULY EXPLOSIVE, SO IT'S ON VIDEO
THE inner-workings of a massive clandestine drug lab were on display in a Winnipeg courtroom yesterday - although justice officials dared not bring the actual evidence to court for fearing of blowing up the downtown Law Courts complex.
Instead, a video presentation of more than 100 photographs provided a safe, but revealing glimpse, into the dangerous manufacturing of designer drugs.
David Grace, 36, has pleaded not guilty to several charges stemming from the November 2002 raid on Valour Road, which was only the second of its kind in Manitoba.
His two-week trial began yesterday.
The case often sounded more like a high school chemistry class as a police expert walked a judge and lawyers through the various items seized from the home. Although it appeared unassuming from the outside, pictures show the main floor, basement and upstairs were filled with various chemicals. The house was extremely messy, and the only thing police found in the fridge were more ingredients to make drugs.
A book on "organic chemistry" was found lying on the only bed in the home, next to a large bottle of ether. There was also a homemade ventilation system which helped clear the air of toxic, flammable fumes.
Police say the lab was capable of producing ecstasy and GHB, which is also known as the "date rape" drug. There may have also been efforts to make crystal methamphetamine.
The recovered chemicals inside the home were reactive and highly flammable, and police said the house could have exploded if it wasn't ventilated properly.
Grace was renting the property and was found inside when police, armed with a warrant and clad in protective bio-hazard outfits, stormed in.
He had to be stripped naked and hosed down on the street prior to being arrested.
Manitoba Environment, the Health Protection Branch and the Winnipeg Fire Department's hazardous materials unit also assisted in the raid.
Officials spent nearly a week working inside the home to decontaminate it and gather evidence. They quickly shut down the furnace for fear of triggering an explosion. Defence lawyer Ian Garber says a major part of the case will be determining the validity of the police search and whether the seized evidence should be admitted against his client.

[sands of time]

"He had to be stripped naked and hosed down on the street prior to being arrested."

Well thats a new method of detaining criminals...

[raven3davis]

Wouldnt you think if he was capable of making ecstasy he could have easily been making speed? Just a thought. SWIM wonders how they found out about the lab and got the warrant. Possibly a snitch?

[The Mad Hatter]

i love the fact that this guy David Grace taught himself how to not only handle these chemicals properly without causing an explosion (obviously a big fear of the pigs), but he figured out how to arrange them in a way as to produce molecules that alter human consciousness. An yet, look at what these professionals (cops) had to do.... they had to only take pictures because they considered them too explosive. They even quit investigating as a result of their unintelligence. Anyways, it's sad to hear about another bust and imprisonment of a martyr like Grace. Although I don't necesarrily prefer either one of these drugs (esp. GHB) I still support the man for being willing to risk his freedom for others.