Chilliwack RCMP cleared a neighbourhood on the Sto:lo reserve Wednesday evening and then busted a massive drug manufacturing operation in a local house.
RCMP said the area was evacuated because of the danger of an explosion from the large amount of chemicals in the house. They have not said if any arrests were made in the raid.
The lab was producing 18 kilograms of methamphetamine a day, Sto:lo tribal council vice-president Tyrone McNeil said.
The council has been working with the RCMP to keep drug labs off Sto:lo land, McNeil said, adding that reserves are considered prime real estate by drug producers.
"The reserves are seen as a closed community," he said. "Some communities may not allow the RCMP on a regular basis. There's certainly not a whole lot of visitation to many of our houses. It's quite private. I guess that works in their favour."