Crystal meth gang set up 'Breaking Bad style' labs in kitchens across the West Midlands

Yahoo

02-08-2025

These are the faces of a crystal meth gang who set up 'Breaking Bad' style labs inside homes across the West Midlands.
Jan Lacko, 49, David Sivak, 44, and Mohammed Akhtar, 45, were all sentenced for their involvement in the production of the highly addictive drug this week, Tuesday, July 29.
Police have today, August 2, shared images from inside the makeshift labs - including chemistry equipment, scales weighing out white pills and toxic bottles of toxic chemicals.
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Detectives found the trio co-ordinated together, sharing resources to pursue the criminal enterprise of producing Methylamphetamine, commonly known as 'crystal meth'.
Since 2020, Lacko, Sivak, and Akhtar, worked together to cook crystal meth in illegal laboratories in properties across the West Midlands.
The gang would refer to the drug as 'pervitin' or 'piko' – slang terms for the dangerous drug.
Multiple raids and vehicle stops were carried out as officers from the Birmingham Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation Team (Socex) began investigating the trio.
Akhtar was found to act as the "procurer of the required chemicals", and the bulk delivery of required pseudoephedrine containing medication, from various overseas pharmaceutical companies, to Sivak and Lacko.
Between 2020 and 2024, the trio ran multiple makeshift 'kitchen laboratories' in residential properties across the region, where they would use chemistry instruments as well as dangerous chemicals to 'cook' the meth.
Lacko and Akhtar were both arrested and charged in November 2024, while Sivak was arrested and charged in January earlier this year.
After initially giving not-guilty pleas, the trio admitted to running the production of methylamphetamine a Class A controlled drug, in May this year. Lacko also pleaded guilty to supplying a controlled drug of Class A – methylamphetamine.
Lacko, of Grove Lane, Birmingham, was jailed for three years and seven months
Sivak, of no fixed address, was jailed for two years and four months
Akhtar, of Rotton Park Road, Birmingham, was handed a 20-month suspended sentence
Sgt Antony Draper, from SOCEX team, said: '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 trained officers to assist with the execution of warrants, scientific and forensic support, translation services, shipping data and mobile phone analysis.'