Court officials discovered a large, fully-operational drug lab in a home in northwest Miami-Dade while carrying out an eviction order Saturday morning.
Investigators said the home, located in the 8000 block of Northwest 200th Street, had an array of tools inside used to make drugs, including an industrial pill maker and hundreds of thousands of pill capsules. Methamphetamine, LSD and ecstasy were also found in the home.
The Drug Enforcement Agency's clandestine laboratory enforcement team assisted Miami-Dade Police with the massive operation.
"The majority of that house was made to be used as an entire lab," said Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta. "A clandestine lab of this magnitude is very dangerous because of all of the chemicals that are involved. This could have easily caused a large explosion."
Zabaleta said a lab of this size not only endangers neighbors because of a possible explosion, but toxic fumes would also pose a threat.
"The neighbors had no idea how much danger they were in on a daily basis," Zabaleta said.
One resident, who did not want to be identified, said he and others were in disbelief.
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"This is a great neighborhood, we've never had problems here," the man said. "We're all in shock."
Police took 29-year-old Raul Puig, who lived in the home, into custody around 7 a.m. Saturday.
Puig faces a number of charges, including armed trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, and manufacturing with intent to deliver.
At a court appearance Monday, Puig was ordered held without bond. It is unclear whether Puig has an attorney.
Investigators worked late into the night Saturday to continue processing the scene and clearing the house.
