Drug lab experts examine materials at Victoria University. Picture: Andrew Henshaw
Source: Herald Sun
A PSYCHOLOGY student has been charged with commercial trafficking after police allegedly found a methamphetamine lab in his student dorm room.
Detectives will allege Andrew Hart, 36, was using his room at the Victoria University Student Village as a clandestine drug lab.
In dramatic scenes last week, police drug lab experts, dressed in full protective clothing, sifted through the dorm room in Maidstone.
The specialist officers removed more than 100 exhibits - including chemistry beakers and paperwork with chemical formulas - they claim was used to manufacture illicit drugs.
They also allegedly removed a "large amount" of precursor chemicals used in the making of methamphetamines.
Police will run lab tests to assess the quantity of any drugs the full-time student was allegedly making.
The alleged lab was brought to police attention last Wednesday night after the university's student services staff noticed a strange smell from the dorm room. Staff asked to inspect the room but Mr Hart refused, then allegedly fled his accommodation.
The full-time psychology studies honours student contacted police the next night after contacting Legal Aid. He was bailed to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court later this year.
Last week police described the alleged lab as like living next to a "time bomb".
But officers now stress the accommodation is secure and the 500 or so students who live on the university-owned site are safe.
Detective Constable Ryan McHutchison said there were no signs he was dealing out of his room.
"Student services staff went to speak to him about another issue, they then noticed a strange smell from his room," Constable McHutchison said.
"When asked about the smell Mr Hart was defensive and refused to allow them entry into his room.
"He has then fled the student accommodation. The staff then called police. Officers discovered numerous articles that are used in a clandestine laboratory," he alleged.
"And the lab will now test the chemicals found in the room. We need to emphasise the area is now safe and students are not at risk."
Mr Hart has been bailed to a relative's address in Melbourne's southeast. He has been charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamines, possession of a precursor chemical used in the making of methamphetamines and possession of articles for the manufacture of a drug of dependence.
Victoria University spokeswoman Christine White said the matter was in police hands.