The three men arrested in last week's drug lab bust in Tsawwassen were allegedly producing a highly concentrated form of marijuana, Delta police said this week.
The drug, known as "shatter," is a refined, concentrated extract of marijuana, said department spokesperson A/Sgt. Sarah Swallow.
Shatter is produced by extracting resin from dried, uncut marijuana. The end product looks like thin, brittle sheets of amber or dried tree sap. Swallow said it is usually consumed by using a vaporizer and can contain more than 80 per cent THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical responsible for the plant's psychological effects.
"Because of the high level of THC, shatter is more potent and more addictive than traditional dried marijuana," Swallow said.
At around 7 p.m. last Monday, police responded to reports of a disturbance at a home in the 5200-block of 4th Avenue. When officers arrived, they determined the home was targeted in a break and enter, and also discovered a drug lab.
Out of concern for public safety, residents in five surrounding homes were evacuated for several hours.
Swallow said the residents were evacuated because officers were initially unsure exactly what was being produced. She also said butane and other flammable substances are typically used in the production of shatter.
Last Wednesday, Delta police, the RCMP drug unit, with assistance from Health Canada, Delta firefighters and paramedics, and a hazard waste removal company, began dismantling the operation.
Health Canada was brought in to test all the chemicals and substances found. The final results likely won't be known for several weeks.
Swallow said the three men arrested have since been released without charge pending further investigation.
"We do anticipate charges," she said.
Swallow said it isn't clear yet if the drug was also being sold out of the house.
"It doesn't look like it was just for personal use," she added.
One person was arrested and charged in the home invasion. However, there is currently a publication ban on the case.
