by Mindy Aguon, KUAM News Tuesday, October 09, 2007 Subscribe to Mindy's newsfeed   E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

It's a serious problem that local and federal law enforcement are attempting to curb - the growing trend of clandestine laboratories, or makeshift crystal methamphetamine manufacturing operations. A traffic stop early this morning led police to the discovery of items believed to be used to make the drug commonly known as "ice". The Guam Police Department's Violent Street Crimes Task Force, along with federal authorities, is conducting an extensive investigation into the matter.

A police officer assigned to the Hagatna Precinct conducted a vehicle stop around 4:45 this morning on Maimai Road, and he found more than three occupants inside a silver Mazda Miata. GPD spokesperson Officer Allan Guzman explained, "Through further observation I think the officer was able to possibly identify what could be materials to use to manufacture ice, which is commonly known as a clandestine lab, which is a roving lab."

Early this morning the vehicle was pulled to the side of the roadway at the entrance to South Diaz Drive. Officer Guzman says GPD activated its Violent Street Crimes Task Force along with its Rapid Equipment Deployment Team, patrol officers, federal authorities and Guam Office of Homeland Security personnel. The roadster was parked under a blue canopy for the majority of the day as officials donning white HAZMAT suits checked the contents of the trunk and the inside of the vehicle.

Because the case remains under investigation, police are keeping quiet about the details of the contents found inside. "There are materials utilized to manufacture the illegal substance," confirmed Guzman.

Around two o'clock this afternoon, authorities were able to remove the hazardous contents from the vehicle. Officials were concerned that the items inside could be explosive forcing residents living along South Diaz Drive to be confined to their homes for the day, missing school and work as the entrance to the road was barricaded. Said Guzman, "They were instructed to just stay in their residences and I guess the ones that live nearby apparently were not home at the time."

Police confirm there were three occupants inside the Miata, but they are not releasing the names of those individuals as arrests are pending in the case.