Man arrested in secret drug lab setup at Niagara commercial plaza

Niagara police have arrested a local man and seized thousands of dollars worth of drugs from an illegal, secret lab at a commercial plaza in St. Catharines.

Police received a call on Aug. 30 from an adjacent business about a strange odour in the building.

The Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team took over the investigation and found crystal meth, crack cocaine, suspected cocaine and ecstasy valued at over $30,000 — along with over $10,000 cash — in what’s been called a “clandestine drug laboratory.”

Kristopher Burnett-Ackerman, 32 years, has been charged with production of crack cocaine and possession of a number of types of drugs for trafficking, among other charges.

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, extension 1008894 or Crime Stoppers of Niagara.

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