Busted lab’s toxic cocktails destined for festivals

Paint thinner, cleaning solvent, a fluid used to make TNT, corrosive acids and an ingredient used in household cleaners — these were just a few of the chemicals found in a rancid suburban drug lab police say was preparing product for this weekend’s dance festivals.

Police uncovered a large clandestine laboratory manufacturing illicit drugs. Picture: Tim Pascoe

Paint thinner, cleaning solvent, a fluid used to make TNT, corrosive acids and an ingredient used in household cleaners — these were just a few of the chemicals found in a rancid suburban drug lab police say was preparing product for this weekend’s dance festivals.

The factory discovered in a former “much loved” family home yesterday was so dangerous forensic police needed breathing apparatus and then had to be hosed down outside.

Police remove drug making equipment from the house. Picture: Tim Pascoe

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Although there were chemicals to make MDMA — ecstasy — the four men at the lab were allegedly mid-cook on a 1kg batch of ice — methylamphetamine — when police raided the Chipping Norton home on Thursday evening.

“Those drugs certainly would have been bound for dance festivals this weekend,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said.

There are three festivals scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Six rooms of the one-storey home in Newbridge Rd had been taken over with hundreds of litres of unlabelled liquids and various powders yet to be examined, with a filthy fridge, children’s paddling pools and converted beer kegs among the utensils used in the process.

“This lab according to one of our most experienced operators involved in chemical operations was the largest and most dangerous laboratories they have ever encountered with hazardous chemicals,” Mr Smith said.

“We found at least 1kg of product in the final stages of refinement and 100 litres which would be refined into (about 100kg) of prohibited drug.”

Police needed to be protected from the toxic chemicals present. Picture: Tim Pascoe

As politicians flirt with the idea of “pill testing”, The Saturday Telegraph can reveal what goes into the drugs that have led to the deaths of at least five young people at dance music festivals in as many months. Their deaths will be examined at an inquest later this year.

The chemicals already identified at the Chipping Norton house include toluene, a solvent essential in the manufacture of the explosive TNT, and xylene, used as a paint thinner.

There was acetone, commonly used much diluted in nail polish ­remover; sulfuric acid, used to make fertilisers; and hydrochloric acid, a corrosive substance used in batteries and fireworks.

Mr Smith said there was enough acetone in the home to “blow up the entire block”.

One man, 48, who was allegedly “cooking” yesterday, remains in hospital being treated for the effects of the chemicals.

A NSW Fire and Rescue worker in a protective breathing mask. Picture: Tim Hunter

Police examine the dangerous set-up. Picture: Tim Pascoe

Another, 35, is in hospital after being bitten by a police dog after trying to flee.

The other two men, Tho Vinh Ly, 52, and Hung Nguyen, 48, appeared at Liverpool Local Court where they did not apply for bail and were formally remanded in custody.

Ly, also known as Andrew Duong, of Cabramatta, and Nguyen, of Hinchinbrook, are charged with manufacture or produce prohibited drug not less than large commercial quantity.

Inside the illegal lab.

The house was sold and rented out after it’s long-term owner died.

“It’s significant at this time when we’re in the middle of this challenge with dance festivals and drug use that we make such significant arrests,” Mr Smith said.

Paul Wilson, whose family sold the house about a year ago after their father Jack died and mother Phyllis, 95, had to go into a nursing home, said it had been a much-loved family home.

“It is shocking that it can happen where we used to live,” Mr Wilson said.

The family sold it to next-door neighbour James Huynh, who bought it with his cousin Thien Nguyen. They rented it out.

Mr Huynh said they signed the lease about a year ago and the tenants always paid their rent on time.

“We had no idea until we heard the police last night,” he said.

Police allege ice was being cooked up when they raided the lab. Picture: Tim Pascoe

Police used plenty of protective gear. Picture: Tim Hunter.