Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 Source: Markham Economist & Sun (CN ON) http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/newscentre/markhameconomistandsun/story/2102113p-2434259c.html Copyright: 2004, Metroland Printing Contact: http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/newscentre/markhameconomistandsun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2360 Author: Martin Derbyshire $15M IN ECSTASY SEIZED More than $15 million worth of ecstasy was on display Wednesday at the York Regional Police station in Markham, just blocks from the home where almost two-thirds of it was found. Officers seized 27 kilograms of ecstasy ready to be pressed into pills, 12 kg of ecstasy waiting for the final purification stage and 87 litres of a substance that appears to be ecstasy waiting for its initial cleaning stage at a Manhattan Drive home July 17. A large quantity of dangerous chemicals, lab equipment and $11,790 in cash were also found at what police are confirming is one of largest ecstasy seizures in Canadian history. The tally at a second ecstasy lab found by firefighters days later just a few kilometres away included two pill presses capable of producing 1,000 pills an hour, 89 kg of ecstasy ready to be pressed, two kg of uncut ecstasy, 350 grams of ice methamphetamine, 270 grams of marijuana, $2,260 in US cash and $285 in Canadian currency. Police would not confirm a connection between the two labs, but the investigation is continuing. Many of the chemicals used in ecstasy production are highly combustible and police and firefighters said they narrowly avoided a major explosion capable of devastating not only the Manhattan Drive home, but also those on either side. "Notwithstanding the obvious threat they pose to the occupants and neighbours due to fire, explosions and chemical contamination, these multi-million dollar criminal enterprises place police officers, firefighters and EMS workers in harm's way and pose a significant threat to the safety and security of our community," police Chief Armand La Barge said. "Officers from the York Regional Police drug and vice and intelligence bureaus are using all of the resources at their disposal to bring to justice those individuals that were responsible for setting up and operating these illegal enterprises within our community and if there are others out there engaged in this activity, be warned we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to identify you and bring you before the courts." A 49-year-old man living in the Brunswick Street home where the second lab was found has been charged and a warrant has been issued for another 34-year-old man.