Clandestine Drug Lab Unearthed

[boulder]

Ceduna police have discovered a clandestine drug laboratory at Penong.

The sophisticated drug manufacturing apparatus included filtering and distilling devices, chemicals and various other materials used for the manufacture of cannabis oil.

A 39-year-old boilermaker from Penong was arrested last Monday and charged with a number of offences including taking part in producing a prohibited substance and possessing a prohibited substance for sale or supply.

Both are major indictable offences, with a maximum penalty of up to 25 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $500,000, or both.

Due to the seriousness of the discovery, four officers from the Adelaide Drug and Organised Crime Branch a chemist, paramedic and the Penong CFS attended the scene.

There are several forms of cannabis product, including dried cannabis and cannabis resin but cannabis oil is the most potent.

It is generally sold in capsules and can be worth from $25 to $150 per 'street deal' or capsule.

Detective senior constable Trevor Puckridge, of Ceduna police, said clandestine drug laboratories were extremely dangerous.

Senior Constable Puckridge said the chemicals used in the manufacture of cannabis oil could be explosive as well as toxic.

"Drug labs have been known to level buildings and damage surrounding buildings.

"People have died from inhaling the fumes.

"Police have received information that there are possibly more of these labs in the area and request that anyone with information contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

"If people call they may remain anonymous and will be rewarded for their information if that information leads to a conviction," he said.

Officer in charge of West Coast police, chief inspector Malcolm Schluter, said the apprehension of the man resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of cannabis oil, which could have resulted in many thousands of 'street deals'.

The man has been bailed to appear at the Ceduna court in April.

Clarification: Three mature cannabis plants were found in the man's possession, not 17 as stated in last week's West Coast Sentinel.

However, it is possible that hundreds of plants would have been required to produce the amount of cannabis oil found at the property.

A second person from Penong was reported last week for cultivating 17 cannabis plants.

 

http://ceduna.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?...0246&y=2004&m=3