Hundreds of kilograms of the synthetic drug ecstasy and a wide range of paraphernalia, including pill presses, explosive devices and weapons were seized last week when police busted what they are calling one of largest drug-making labs ever discovered in British Columbia.
Located in the Vancouver suburb of Richmond, the so-called 'super lab' was capable of producing up to 12,000 ecstasy pills per hour, RCMP officials say.
The discovery makes B.C. one of the leading producers in the world for illicit drug production, according to Insp. Brian Cantera of the national drug enforcement section.
Cantera said the lab is extremely dangerous to the public and the emergency crews who raided the operation last Friday.
There is significant environmental damage, including soil contamination on the property, which is close to conservatory bog land and the Fraser River.
Police found the massive lab in a home on Richmond's River Road. The discovery led them to a residence on Odlin Crescent, housing a marijuana grow operation and explosives. Five people have been arrested in connection with the River Road bust.
With files from The Canadian Press
