Meth lab discovered in P.E.I., say police

A small meth lab was discovered in a Summerside home late last week, police say the first time such a lab has been found in the province.

Police seized approximately 1,000 methamphetamine pills some of which were hidden in a diaper while executing a search warrant late Thursday.

RCMP Cpl. Andy Cook said police also dismantled a small lab set up to produce methamphetamine in powder form.

'We've been seeing an increase, a concerning increase, in the amount of methamphetamine pills on the street.' RCMP Cpl. Andy Cook

"The methamphetamine lab that we located is what's known as a one-pot lab, so it's a small lab that you can use something as simple as a water bottle or a two-litre pop bottle to complete this process," he said.

Police also seized a small quantity of steroids along with a handheld conductive energy device, which is a restricted weapon.

A 29-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man were arrested.

They face charges including possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and production of methamphetamine, along with possession of a prohibited weapon.

Both were released from custody and are due to appear in Summerside court.

'Not a good first'

It's the first time a methamphetamine or chemical drug lab has been found on Prince Edward Island, according to police.

"It's not a good first," Cook said.

"I've worked elsewhere in other provinces where we have methamphetamine problems and it's certainly not something I wanted to see here. I was hopeful we'd never see it, but it's all over the internet and the eventuality was that this was going to happen."

Cook said he's not aware of any other labs operating on the Island but wouldn't rule out the possibility.

He said while the P.E.I. lab was set up to produce meth in powder form, the pillslikely came from outside the province.

"We've been seeing an increase, a concerning increase, in the amount of methamphetamine pills on the street," he said.

"We've noted that the prices have dropped and from our experience here in P.E.I. when you start seeing the prices drop, that usually accounts for there being an increased supply of the drug in the area."

Most of what's being seized on the street are small pills with stamps on them known as speed pills, he said. But police are also increasingly seeing reports of crystal meth, a more purified form of the drug, as well.