Four arrested, $3.5M of crystal meth seized in Niagara Falls lab dismantling

Police have arrested four people and seized about $3.5 million worth of crystal methamphetamine after dismantling a drug lab in Niagara Falls on Dec. 23.

As a result, detectives arrested four people and seized 42 20-litre pails of suspected liquid methamphetamine, 17 kilograms of suspected crystal methamphetamine, $6,200 of Canadian currency and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

Officers arrested 32-year-old Kristopher Burnett-Ackerman of Niagara Falls, 25-year-old Veronika Goffin of Niagara Falls, 25-year-old Ricardo Yanez of Victorville, Calif., and 23-year-old Brandon Fuentes Escalara of Victorville, Calif.

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Investigators have charged all four of the accused with production of crystal meth, possession of crystal meth for the purpose of trafficking, possessing a firearm without a license, knowingly not holding a firearms license and careless storage of the firearm. Burnett-Ackerman was given the additional charge of failure to comply with a release order.

All four of the accused have been held in custody ahead of their court appearances, according to officers.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s Major Drug Unit at 905-688-4111.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

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