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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 'Crystal meth' labs investigation | 'Crystal meth' labs investigation |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| An investigation is under way after police seized chemicals and laboratory equipment used to make the class A drug methamphetamine, or "crystal meth". | An investigation is under way after police seized chemicals and laboratory equipment used to make the class A drug methamphetamine, or "crystal meth". |
| Wearing chemical suits and breathing apparatus, North Wales Police officers cordoned off two areas of Mold. | Wearing chemical suits and breathing apparatus, North Wales Police officers cordoned off two areas of Mold. |
| They raided and searched homes in Chester Street and Glan Alun in the town on Sunday morning. | They raided and searched homes in Chester Street and Glan Alun in the town on Sunday morning. |
| Items including chemicals and laboratory equipment were taken away for forensic examination. | Items including chemicals and laboratory equipment were taken away for forensic examination. |
| Chief Inspector Richard Hughes said: "We will do everything in our power to prosecute those involved." | Chief Inspector Richard Hughes said: "We will do everything in our power to prosecute those involved." |
| According to the force, the chemicals and chemical processes used to make methamphetamine pose health and safety hazards, which can lead to cancers, leukaemia, liver disease and respiratory problems. | According to the force, the chemicals and chemical processes used to make methamphetamine pose health and safety hazards, which can lead to cancers, leukaemia, liver disease and respiratory problems. |
| Lung problems | Lung problems |
| A police spokeswoman said: "Due to the dangers associated with this highly addictive class A drug, a specially-trained and equipped team of officers in full chemical suits and breathing apparatus were involved in the search at both premises." | A police spokeswoman said: "Due to the dangers associated with this highly addictive class A drug, a specially-trained and equipped team of officers in full chemical suits and breathing apparatus were involved in the search at both premises." |
| Ch Insp Hughes added: "It must be stressed that, although methamphetamine is one of America's biggest drugs, it is not posing a problem in north Wales." | Ch Insp Hughes added: "It must be stressed that, although methamphetamine is one of America's biggest drugs, it is not posing a problem in north Wales." |
| Mental health issues, including paranoia and insomnia, have been identified as some of the side-effects of using methamphetamine according to drugs charity, Conference on Crack and Cocaine (COCA). | Mental health issues, including paranoia and insomnia, have been identified as some of the side-effects of using methamphetamine according to drugs charity, Conference on Crack and Cocaine (COCA). |
| A report published by the charity found that methamphetamine was being bought, sold and used in cities and some rural areas across the UK. | A report published by the charity found that methamphetamine was being bought, sold and used in cities and some rural areas across the UK. |
| It was reclassified as a class A drug earlier this year | It was reclassified as a class A drug earlier this year |
| People using methamphetamine identified more serious mental health problems than physical health problems according to COCA's findings. | People using methamphetamine identified more serious mental health problems than physical health problems according to COCA's findings. |
| But respondents also reported physical health issues that ranged from heart and lung problems to weight loss. | But respondents also reported physical health issues that ranged from heart and lung problems to weight loss. |
| Mike Denma from the North Wales-based drug and alcohol service Cais said although use of the drug was not prevalent at the moment, it had been increasing over the last few years. | |
| "Crystal meth has come across from America very recently," he said. | |
| "We had some suspicions [that it had come to north Wales] but of course these have now been confirmed. | |
| "It is very, very concerning," he added. | |
| Extremely toxic | |
| Sergeant Simon Fuller, a police search advisor at the Welsh assembly, said as methamphetamine was a synthetic drug it could be manufactured using chemicals synthesised from "everyday" items including petrol and acids from car batteries. | |
| "When you start to mix chemicals like this... you can produce other chemicals which are extremely toxic and extremely dangerous," he explained. | |
| "Chemical reactions are produced with may cause fires, which may produce gases which are extremely toxic." | |
| Anyone with information can contact North Wales Police on 0845 6071002 (English language line), 0845 6071001 (Welsh language line), or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. | Anyone with information can contact North Wales Police on 0845 6071002 (English language line), 0845 6071001 (Welsh language line), or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. |