A Canadian college student majoring in chemistry built himself a home lab – and discovered that trying to do science in your own home quickly leads to accusations of drug-making and terrorism.
Lewis Casey, an 18-year-old in Saskatchewan, had built a small chemistry lab in his family’s garage near the university where he studies. Then two weeks ago, police arrived at his home with a search warrant and based on a quick survey of his lab determined that it was a meth lab. They pulled Casey out of the shower to interrogate him, and then arrested him.
A few days later, police admitted that Casey’s chemistry lab wasn’t a meth lab – but they kept him in jail, claiming that he had some of the materials necessary to produce explosives. Friends and neighbors wrote dozens of letters to the court, testifying that Casey was innocent and merely a student who is really enthusiastic about chemistry.
Casey is now living at home, but he is no longer allowed to engage in chemistry experiments except under supervision in school labs. He is also required to inform the chemistry department of the charges against him. His trial continues on January 26.
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After 9-11 a lot of the shops and online stores selling chemistry were under surveillance. Many closed. Many customers dealt with accusations from the government. It’s ridiculous.
erm, “selling chemistry sets and supplies”
it still is ridiculous 🙁
Years back, I got a visit from the sheriff’s clandestine laboratories unit. No arrest, since obviously yttrium oxide can’t be used to make meth. But this has been going on long before 9/11.
Heheh, all police departments should keep a scientist on the payroll.