REGINA – Three people are facing a number of drug-related charges in connection to a house explosion that rocked a north-west neighbourhood more than three months ago.
Police say the trio were allegedly processing illegal drugs inside the basement of the home, and add they anticipate more charges to come against a fourth man.
“One of the reasons for the time taken in the investigation is one of the persons charged was one of the people injured,” said Elizabeth Popowich with the Regina Police Service. “So while his medical treatments were a higher priority it simply wouldn’t have been practical to bring him here.”
After months of investigation, two men and a woman were charged with producing cannabis resin, among other offenses.
The resin is made using a solvent to extract and concentrate the buds or leaves of a marijuana plant.
Robert Scott Murphy, a professor in the University of Regina’s Chemistry and Biochemistry department, said the production often involves a substance like butane and a heat source which is a dangerous mix.
“If they’re trying to basically boil it off then that’s when the risk goes up because if they are trying to boil off butane, butane vapors can ignite in the presence of a heat source. So, that can then cause an explosion.”
Chemicals used aren’t always difficult to get your hands on, but for an explosion of this magnitude it was likely a large operation.
“I think to have that much damage to a piece of property would have to involve quite a large amount of a flammable gas or solvent,” added Murphy.
Comments