RCMP in Quebec say they recently raided two clandestine drug laboratories in the eastern portion of the province, while also seizing meth and over 200,000 pills and making three arrests.
“The investigation began in April 2024, following a tip received by investigators from the Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response Team,” Cpl. Erique Gasse told Global News in an email.
He said the labs, which were raided earlier this week, were located at a home in St-Lin-Laurentides, which is about an hour’s drive north of Montreal, and a commercial facility in Sorel, which is about 90 minutes east of the other lab.
Get daily National news
“A clandestine laboratory refers to a secret or concealed location where criminals produce or prepare synthetic drugs,” an RCMP release noted. “Clandestine labs can be found in a variety of locations, such as homes, garages and warehouses.”
The operation netted 20,000 meth pills (about 1.5 kg), 180,000 pills of suspected methamphetamine and 8,000 counterfeit Xanax pills, according to RCMP.
In addition , officers also seized $27,000 in cash, three pill presses and other sophisticated equipment for large-scale production as well as significant quantities of chemicals, precursors and excipients.
“The sophisticated equipment and the quantity of chemicals and precursors seized at the scenes and observed during the investigation were likely enough to produce several million pills — now prevented from reaching the black market, here or elsewhere,” Gasse said.
RCMP say their officers also searched homes in Mirabel and Contrecoeur, as well as four vehicles, during the raids.
Three men were arrested but police say no charges have been laid so far in connection with the investigation.
“Pursuant to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, they may later face charges for production of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking and possession of substances for the purpose of trafficking,” Gasse said.
Comments