Halifax drugs raid uncovers Breaking Bad-style “meth lab” in cellar of family home

Ladislav Duna, 40, was found guilty by a jury last month of producing methylamphetamine in the cellar of his home in Dickens Street.

The jury at Bradford Crown Court heard how a suspicious shopkeeper tipped off police after becoming concerned that “unusual” purchases from his store might be used for terrorism.

But when police officers searched the rented terraced house they found a drugs operation which could have produced methylamphetamine worth between £58,000 and £85,000.

Prosecutor John Batchelor said when an officer opened the cellar door at the house last September they were met with “an overpowering smell of chemicals”.

“The officers briefly entered and very quickly established it was a chemical process and they believed crystal meth was being produced,” alleged Mr Batchelor.

The jury at Bradford Crown Court heard that the house where Duna lived with his pregnant wife and child had to be “locked down” and the fire brigade called in for safety reasons.

Mr Batchelor said Duna had bought several bottles of caustic soda, heavy duty PVC gloves, ammonia and other equipment.

When the police searched his home they found a quantity of red phosphorous and nearly 1500 packets of a cold remedy along with a homemade press which could be used to quickly extract the cold remedy tablets from their blister packaging.

Barrister Conor Quinn, for Duna, said he was the one taking the risk by placing the equipment in his basement and others were the main beneficiaries from the financial gains of the operation.

Jailing Duna Judge Neil Davey QC said:”The police raided your house and discovered in the cellar of your house a well set up functioning laboratory with all the chemicals necessary to make methylamphetamine.

“Indeed in some cases they found samples around your house of successful production having taken place.”

The judge said the production of the Class A drug required the acquisition and deployment of unusual chemicals.

“It is a case of your role being significant because it’s plain you were motivated by financial advantage,” said the judge.

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