Barber Shop 'Meth Lab' Bust

An “evil” drug dealer who manufactured ‘crystal meth ‘and ‘2-CB’ in a hidden ‘factory’ behind a local barber’s shop has been caged for four years.

Freddie King, 49, of Yonge Park, Finsbury Park, produced the highly addictive class ‘A’ drugs and sold other narcotics from ‘Firm Cuts’ in nearby Seven Sisters Road.

On November 19, 2008 the Territorial Support Group, Finsbury Park’s Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Islington Police’s Financial Investigation Unit and the Dog Unit carried out a huge raid under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Police were acting on a tip-off that cannabis was sold from the shop and inside a quantity of the drug was recovered packed inside multiple plastic bags.

However, behind a partition wall officers found crystal meth – plus chemicals used to manufacture the drug – and evidence of ‘2-CB’ production and the possession of ‘angel dust.’

King pleaded guilty to the production of 19.9g of ‘crystal meth,’ production of 16.2 g of ‘2C-B,’ possession of 0.524g of ‘angel dust’ and possession of 4.06g of methoxyamphetamine.

Fearing the potential harm from hazardous substances – including the risk of fires and explosions – officers called in the Metropolitan Police’s Dedicated Decontamination Unit.

Two days later Islington Police removed all the chemicals from the premises with specialist help from the Met's Chemical Biological Radiation and Nuclear Team (pictured), the Forensic Science Service and Islington Council's Emergency Planning Department.

The premises were boarded up after Finsbury Park Safer Neighbourhoods team sought a Closure Order. The property will remain closed until 26 February 2010 when it will be reviewed. A lettings agency is in the process of re-possessing the property.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Laurence from Islington Police said: "It should be pointed out that there is not a specific problem with crystal meth in Islington and this is an isolated case.

“King's sentence sends out a clear message that it will not be tolerated here and we will robustly pursue anyone involved in the production and distribution of this highly addictive drug.

"The production of crystal meth poses a real danger and without the technical know-how, there is a high possibility of fire or explosion.

“The gases produced may be poisonous, causing death or injury if inhaled. For every pound of crystal meth produced, five pounds of toxic waste is made."

Investigating officer Gethin Roberts from Islington CID said: "The court recognised the seriousness of King's offence.

“Crystal Meth is a lethal drug and its impact cannot be underestimated. Anyone caught producing or distributing a Class A drug can expect a substantial prison sentence."

Judge John Hillen told King: "Given the effects of crystal meth and its highly addictive nature, I find the production of that drug for distribution exceptionally evil."