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'Booby-trapped' boat sinks as police raid floating crystal meth laboratory

A remote-controlled pump is believed to have been used to cause the boat to partially sink after Dutch officers went on board.

Monday 13 May 2019 15:49, UK

The meth lab was discovered in the hold of the cargo ship in Moerdijk, the Netherlands
Image: The meth lab was discovered in the hold of the cargo ship in Moerdijk in the Netherlands
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A police raid on a cargo ship being used as a drugs laboratory was nearly scuppered after the boat was deliberately sunk in order to destroy evidence.

The 80-metre-long floating lab was discovered on Friday in the Dutch municipality of Moerdijk, and was harbouring chemicals used to manufacture crystal meth.

More than 300 litres of methamphetamine oil were seized, and a 40-foot container filled with 10,000 litres of drug waste and other chemicals for methamphetamine production was also found.

Investigators worked quickly to retrieve evidence and dismantle the laboratory aboard the 80-foot cargo ship
Image: Investigators had to work quickly to retrieve evidence

But when the investigation to remove evidence and dismantle the lab got under way, the boat began rapidly taking on water.

According to police, the ship was "probably sabotaged" by a remotely-operated pump to partially sink the vessel as a means to destroy evidence.

Investigators were forced to evacuate the vessel as quickly as possible, taking as much evidence and goods with them as possible.

"Fortunately, many traces and valuables had already been secured," a police statement said.

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The box contains an estimated 600 grams of crystal meth, which has a street value of 鈧�60,000 (拢52,000)
Image: A box containing crystal meth found on board with a street value of 拢52,000

Following the sinking effort, investigators were able to complete their operation by afternoon on Sunday, before towing the boat to a separate location.

One officer suffering with "respiratory problems" at the scene was taken to hospital shortly after the discovery, but was later confirmed to be in a "good" condition.

An area around the boat was cordoned off due to the "release of chemical air".

Four arrests have so far been made, including the vessel's 65-year-old captain from the Dutch city of Breda, and three Mexican nationals, aged 23, 26 and 37.

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