Nelson Police confirm suspicious operation in Rosemont 'not a methamphetamine lab'
By Nelson Daily Staff
Nelson police confirmed in a media release Thursday the lab found in the Rosemont residence last week contained only small quantities of solvents and posed no risk to anyone in the surrounding residences.
“Nelson Police Department can confirm that a drug lab located in the basement of the residence was not a methamphetamine lab,” Nelson Police Department Inspector Paul Burkart said.
“Although NPD investigators and RCMP Clandestine Lab team suspect certain products, the chemicals from the residence that were seized will need to be tested before the type of product being manufactured can be positively identified and before this information is released to the public.”
Burkart made the announcement due to the intense public interest in this incident that claimed the life of 33-year-old Andrew John Meisner.
Friends found Meisner in his rented Rosemont duplex Friday. He had not responded to earlier calls, which made the friends suspicious.
NPD officers were called to the residence at Robertson and West Innes to assist B.C. Ambulance.
When police arrived at the scene they found Meisner along with a suspected drug operation in the basement of the residence.
After securing the scene, it was deemed necessary for NPD to call in RCMP “E” Division Response Team for Clandestine Labs from Vancouver to dispose of the drug lab.
“Nelson Police can confirm that the products being manufactured did not use large quantities of solvents in its manufacturing,” Burkart explained.
“Solvents used in the manufacture of many illegal or restricted products, such as methamphetamines, can be toxic and are often very explosive.
“Coleman Camp fuel or similar products contain methanol or acetone and are the solvents used in manufacturing of these products, such as methamphetamines.
Burkart said police found the lab in the residence contained only small quantities of solvents.
As a result neighbours that were initially evacuated were able to return to their homes once it was determined that they were not in danger.
“Once clandestine lab investigators were able to attend inside the residence and inspect the lab more closely and test the air quality in the residence to ensure it was safe, members of the investigative team including BC Coroners Service, Nelson Police Department and RCMP Crime Scenes, were allowed in the residence to investigate the death of Mr. Meisner,” Burkart said.
Burkart added that although it appeared from the initial investigation that foul play was not suspected, it was not until after the post mortem that it was ruled out.
Nelson Police Department would also like to take this opportunity to express our sympathies to the family and friends of Meisner.
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