Fears raid may fuel drug lab

FEARS of a local backyard drug lab have been sparked after thieves stole several packets of cold and flu tablets from a Narre Warren South pharmacy last week.
The Casey Central Chemmart store was entered at about 4.45am last Sunday when thieves used a sledge hammer to smash the pharmacy glass door.
The pharmacy owner, who didn’t want to be identified, said the pseudoephedrine found in cold and flu medication could be used in the production of street drugs including ice and methylamphetamines.
“I think backyard labs are the only place they make it,” he said.
Police said the man was seen getting into a white Hyundai Lantra.
Two other men were also seen in the car as it left the shopping centre car park.
“We were fortunate that there were other people in the building at the time who disturbed them,” he said.
The owner, who operates two other Chemmart stores in the Narre Warren area, said his insurance company had already recommended and implemented security upgrades to prevent future burglaries.
Paul Krassaris, committee member of the Pharmacy Guild of Victoria, said there were many measures being put in place to try and stop medication being stolen.
“The guild, in consultation with Victoria Police and the manufacturers, are working together to stop incidents like this happening.”
He said the danger involved in trying to manufacture illegal drugs in backyard labs is extremely high.
“Unfortunately, only a limited amount of chemistry knowledge is needed for people to try and do this,” Mr Krassaris said.
He said legislation was passed earlier this year that ensured only a limited amount of cold and flu medication could be stocked by each pharmacy.
“We only keep one row of each medication. We do this in order to avoid burglaries and that is why this one is surprising.”
He said, in the past, pharmacies had stockpiled hundreds of packets of cold and flu tablets but this practise had now stopped.
“We bend over backwards to make sure these medicines are used for the right purposes.”
Police have appealed for anyone who may have seen anything around the time of the break-in to contact them on 9705 3111.