Inside Breaking Bad-style meth lab hidden in Birmingham homes
Two men have been imprisoned for their involvement in producing crystal meth, whilst a third received a suspended sentence.
Jan Lacko, 49, David Sivak, 444, and Mohammed Akhtar, 45, were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court earlier this year.
Read more: Birmingham's road safety emergency
Officers revealed the trio operated several improvised 'kitchen laboratories' in houses throughout the West Midlands, where they utilised scientific equipment and chemicals to 'cook' meth.
Images reveal wholesale shipments from international pharmaceutical firms containing chemicals, alongside tablets with pseudoephedrine - commonly marketed as Sudafed - which serves as a precursor in methamphetamine manufacturing.
You can see inside the lab in the photo gallery below:
READ MORE: Inside meth lab hidden in Birmingham homes
Lacko and Akhtar were both detained and charged in November 2024, whilst Sivak was apprehended and charged in January this year.
All three admitted being cornered in the production of a Class A drug, whilst Lacko also admitted supplying a controlled class A drug.
Lacko received three years and seven months imprisonment, whilst Sivak was sentenced to two years and four months behind bars.
Akhtar, who obtained chemicals, received a 20-month suspended sentence.
West Midlands Police's Sergeant Antony Draper commented: "Crystal meth has grown large exposure in the public through entertainment, and more specifically US television drama, Breaking Bad.
"However, the reality of this highly addictive and dangerous drug, is far from glamorous. It is much dirtier, and comes with serious health implications for users.
"It is highly addictive and takes a huge toll on the human body.
"The production of the drug is also highly dangerous, creating a substantial risk to all those around.
"With highly dangerous chemicals involved, the risks of serious injury are incredibly high, due to the large amount of toxic waste produced, as well as toxic fumes - all which create a dangerous risk of fires and explosions.
"This was a complex investigation that required specialist support from CBRN [chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear] trained officers to assist with the execution of warrants, scientific and forensic support, translation services, shipping data and mobile phone analysis."
Based on research conducted by the Office for National Statistics covering April 2023 to March 2024, 0.6 per cent of 16 to 59 year olds across England and Wales admit to having tried Methamphetamine at some point – a stark contrast to 30.3 per cent for cannabis and 10.4 per cent for cocaine.
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