Police Believe Illegal Drug Production Caused Explosion
By Contributor
Police are confident that the cause of the house explosion and fire on Friday (May 22) in Courtenay is criminal in nature.
Police conducted a search of the residence, after obtaining a search warrant under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, on Saturday (May 23) and located equipment and other evidence that is used in the production of Hash Oil.
Police have also spoken to one of the young men involved and he confirmed what police suspect.
“This is a tragic reminder of the serious risks involved in the production of illegal drugs,” said Cst. Don Sinclair of the Comox Valley RCMP.
“We cannot stress enough to anyone considering this sort of activity to think of the pain and anguish these three men and their families now face, and reconsider their plans.”
All three men, age 25, 28 and29 years old, remain hospitalized at this time with serious injuries. No further details on their medical status will be released by police, to protect their privacy.
The house is reported to be structurally unsound after the explosion and subsequent fire and will require assessment for safety and re-habitation.
The criminal investigation continues, but police are confident that the three injured men were the only people present at the time of the explosion.
