Since yesterday after lunch, Saanich Police members have been on scene in the 1900 block of Casa Marcia crescent investigating a chemical drug production lab.
The Saanich Police were contacted yesterday about the presence of a possible drug lab in the residence. Upon arriving, officers were met with a fleeing male who was quickly arrested. A second male inside the lower portion of the residence refused to come out. As a result, the assistance of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team and a negotiator was requested at the scene.
After a brief period and a phone conversation with a patrol supervisor, the male was successfully taken into custody without incident.
Overnight, detectives were assigned to assist with the investigation and a search warrant was obtained for the residence. Given the risks associated with a chemical production lab, the assistance of the RCMP Clandestine Laboratory team from Vancouver was requested.
At about lunchtime today, members of the RCMP lab team and the Saanich Police Street Crime Unit, executed the search warrant. Located in a shed on the property were several unidentified, non-labelled chemical substances. Other evidence of possible trafficking and production was recovered from the residence.
Standing by for the safety of the community and investigators were members of the Saanich Fire Department and BC Ambulance Service.
A 31 year old resident of the home, Joel Michael Toevs, has been remanded into custody. Charges include possession of a controlled substance and production of a controlled substance.
Toevs will appear in Victoria Provincial Court on May 9th, 2012.
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