Officials Sifting Through Items Found Following Massive Meth Lab Bust
Posted April 30, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A routine traffic stop led police to uncover what’s being described as the largest ecstasy and meth lab ever discovered in the GTA and possibly the biggest Canada’s ever seen.
An officer apparently found illegal substances inside the car that was stopped and that led authorities to a Mississauga industrial complex Tuesday afternoon where dozens of vats of toxic and explosive chemicals were found along with two chemical cookers and pill presses.
Police had also received several tips from other tenants in the complex of strange activity in the suspect units.
In the words of one of the chemists who surveyed the scene after the fact, it was an awe-inspiring sight.
Heavily-armed officers later raided the unit at 1645 Sismet Rd., near Dixie and Highway 401, where they were immediately greeted by the smell of unknown chemicals, apparently used to make crystal meth. A search of neighbouring units turned up two alleged ecstasy-producing outfits.
Staff. Insp. Don Campbell of Toronto Police said Wednesday that officers discovered a staggering amount of dangerous chemicals at the scene – 80 drums worth. A quantity of pills was also allegedly seized. Chemists and other officials, including experts from Heath Canada, now have the daunting task of deciphering exactly what substances are present and deciding how to handle them safely. Authorities believe the investigation will take three days.
“We know we have our chemist there and … we’re turning off all the heat sources, but we have a lot of chemicals in the deep freeze there, so we don’t know what’s going to happen when they cool down. So it’s going to be a slow process,” he said.
“I think the organizers are irresponsible. I mean … we’re not talking about a chemistry lab in somebody’s basement. This is a full-blown (clandestine) lab that has a potential for explosion,” he added.
Four people were arrested at the scene Tuesday.
Campbell said an organized crime element is believed to be involved.
“I would say this is a sophisticated, organized criminal organization, absolutely,” he said.
It’s still not known exactly how much of the drug was allegedly seized or where it was intended to be sold, but authorities believe it may have been destined for the streets of the GTA.
Meanwhile, other tenants of the industrial complex have expressed frustration at the fact that their businesses have been shut down while the investigation continues. Some say they’re losing upwards of $25,000 a day, a hefty total that appears likely to climb after police admitted it will take at least until Monday before they can reopen the area.
Konstantinos Chalaidopoulos, 35, of Toronto; George Chalaidopoulos, 32, of Thornhill; Ho-Won Tam, 47, of Toronto; and Michel Berthiaune, 63, of Grandville, Quebec are all charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. They appeared in court Wednesday.
