One Man Arrested in Raid on Reported Ecstasy Drug Lab: Federal Drug Agents Raided a South Beach Apartment and Arrested the Alleged Operator of What is Reportedly South Florida’s First Ecstasy Drug Lab
By Susan Anasagasti, The Miami Herald
Mar. 10–Donning face masks and white suits, federal agents on Thursday raided a Miami Beach apartment and declared they had uncovered a lab for making Ecstasy, an illegal drug.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested a 32-year-old man, whose name was not released, charging him with manufacturing the illegal party drug. They said he was churning out Ecstasy pills from the Flamingo Park neighborhood apartment.
The bust was the first time authorities had uncovered an alleged drug lab for producing Ecstasy in South Florida, DEA officials said.
The raid occurred about 9 a.m. Thursday in the 1000 block of Lenox Avenue. Residents were evacuated before drug agents swooped into apartment 10.
DEA spokeswoman Jeanette Moran said chemical ingredients needed to make the drug were found inside the apartment.
“It’s extremely dangerous,” Moran said. “It could be a potentially deadly mix.” Ecstasy has grown in popularity at dance clubs throughout the country.
Miami remains a primary hub for trafficking the illicit drug, whose side effects include confusion, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, drug craving and paranoia.
As many as 10,000 Ecstasy pills — or capsules — can be produced within eight to 10 hours in a lab. Each pill sells for between $20 and $40, Moran said.
Neighbors shook their heads Thursday after learning of the bust, saying the man arrested had been a nice and quiet neighbor.
“We never suspected anything,” said Angelina Batista, 50, who has been living in the building for two years.
“It’s very disturbing,” said Kevin Felix, 32. “It just goes to show you — you never know who your neighbors are.”
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