Two men have been charged after police uncovered a synthetic drug lab at a vacant home in the southeast of the city, near Richmond Ice Centre.
A little more than a year ago, on Jan. 11, 2015 Richmond Mounties responded to a call that two suspects had broken into the property at 14291 Triangle Rd. near its junction with No. 6 Road.
The suspects were spotted loading items into an awaiting vehicle. Two suspects allegedly fled on foot after ditching their Hyundai Tucson SUV.
Later, at the request of the property owners, police entered and secured the vacant property and discovered equipment and apparatus consistent with a synthetic drug lab.
A considerable amount of solvents and corrosive liquids, commonly used in the production of synthetic drugs, were also found.
The RCMP’s federal clan lab team assisted in the processing of the lab.
After a lengthy and thorough investigation by the Richmond RCMP’s drug section, charges were laid against Jeffrey Ricardo White, 28, of Coquitlam, and Shawn Vinsen Coombs, 43, of Abbotsford.
They’ve been charged with: One count of unlawfully producing a controlled substance, namely methamphetamine (AKA speed); one count of possessing, producing, selling or importing red phosphorus, to be used to produce or traffic a controlled substance, namely methamphetamine and one count of possessing, producing, selling, or importing ephedrine, to be used to produce or traffic a controlled substance, namely methamphetamine.
"Synthetic drug labs pose a significant threat to public safety and to the environment,” said Sgt. Darin Sheppard, of the RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime Synthetic Drug Operations.
“Their impact can affect generations to come. Please assist your local police by reporting any suspicious activity."
