A man charged after an alleged clandestine ice lab was found at a Lake Wendouree home told police he was not manufacturing drugs, but was extracting gold.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The man, who The Courier cannot identify due to a court order, said he knew Central Goldfields CIU police officers were attending his house on Tuesday morning after he allegedly didn’t answer his bail two weeks ago.
On entering the house, one of the police officers allegedly noticed a chemical smell before seeing scientific glassware, bottles of layered liquid, gas bottles, hoses and powders in the kitchen and dining area.
Police allege this equipment was consistent with a clandestine ice laboratory and they locked down the house for the public’s safety.
But the man, who has a PhD in chemistry, told a bail application hearing at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Wednesday it was ludicrous he was running an ice laboratory.
He said he did not have all the chemicals needed to make the drug ice, with police only finding mercury and iodine.
Police corroborator First Constable Brendan McManus said forensic chemists determined part of the laboratory could be used for extracting gold but it could also be used to manufacture ice.
He said the forensic chemists located iodine exceeding 25 grams and a quantity of hypophosphorous acid.
“Iodine is a precursor chemical when it exceeds 25 grams. It is often used in the manufacture of methylamphetamine,” First Constable McManus said.
“Iodine and hypophosphorous acid are used in the manufacturing in drugs of dependence,” First Constable McManus said.
“These items are believed to be used in the manufacture of methylamphetamine.”
He said as of Wednesday, the powders had not yet been tested.
The accused man, who did not use a lawyer, said he should be granted bail because vital medication to treat his chronic depression would not be available to him in custody.
He said he was alone in Ballarat and was concerned his beloved dog would be put down if he was remanded.
Prosecutors told the hearing, which was adjourned to Thursday, the man’s medication would be available to him in custody. His dog was also safe, having been adopted.
Magistrate Gregory Robinson refused bail because the man had not shown exceptional circumstances.
He faces three charges, including possessing substance, equipment for trafficking in a drug of dependence, possessing a prescribed precursor chemical and failing to answer bail.
He was remanded in custody to appear in the Bendigo Magistrates Court in August, where he is facing similar charges.
While we’ve got you – do you want to make your voice heard before the state election? Here is your chance.
