Police uncover massive drug production facility in Riga

RIGA -- Latvian police have uncovered what could be the largest drug production facility in the country's history.

Organized Crime Enforcement Department chief Ugis Araks told journalists that the facilities were found on the premises of a licensed alcohol producer in the Ropazi Region, just east of Riga. Though he declined to reveal the name of the company, the only licensed alcohol producer in Ropazi Region is a company by the name of "Libavoti".

"Lībavots" manager Anna Grigaļūne told the Delfi news portal that the grounds where the lab was found was not connected with her company. She denied any connection to the drug production operation.

"The alcohol production plant is located on grounds that have completely different ownership," she said. "When police arrived, they didn't ask what land they were on. They said they were interested in all the rooms, but here there is a large area," she said. 

Economic police made the discovery during a routine investigation of the alcohol company's finances, national news agency LETA reported.

police confiscated equipment worth around 100,000 euros, as well as 250 grams of a narcotic substance in crystal form. About 30 liters of liquid, believed to be an unfinished form of the substance, were also discovered. The confiscated substances have been sent to the University of Latvia's Organic Synthesis Institute for identification and analysis.