Three men plead guilty to running West Midlands crystal meth drug lab
Three men have pleaded guilty for their involvement in producing and supplying crystal meth.
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Jan Lacko, 49, David Sivak, 44, and Mohammed Akhtar, 45, all pleaded guilty ahead of a trial after initially giving not-guilty pleas.
The trio admitted to running the production of methylamphetamine, a Class A controlled drug.
All three men co-ordinated together, sharing resources to persue the criminal enterprise of producing the drug, otherwise known as 'crystal meth'.
Since 2020, Lacko, Sivak and Akhtar, worked together to cook crystal meth in illegal laboratories in properties across the West Midlands.
The gang would refer to the drug as 'pervitin' or 'piko', which are known to be slang terms for the highly addictive drug.
Officers from the Birmingham Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation Team (SOCEX) began investigating.
Between 2020 and 2024, the trio ran multiple makeshift 'kitchen laboratories' in residential properties across the region, where they would use chemistry instruments as well as dangerous chemicals to 'cook' the meth.
Sargeant Anthony Draper, from the SOCEX team, said: "Crystal meth has grown large exposure in the public through entertainment, and more specifically US television drama, Breaking Bad.
"However, the reality of this highly addictive and dangerous drug is far from glamorous. It is much dirtier and comes with serious health implications for users. It is highly addictive and takes a huge toll on the human body."
Lacko or Grove Lane, Birmingham, Akhtar, of Rotton Park Road, Birmingham, were both arrested and charged in November 2024, while Sivak was arrested and charged in January earlier this year.
The trio all pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of methylamphetamine at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, May 13.
Lacko also pleaded guilty to supplying a controlled drug of Class A - A-methylamphetamine.
Mr Draper added: "The production of the drug is also highly dangerous, creating a substantial risk to all those around.
"It is common for the drug labs to explode, and with highly dangerous chemicals involved, the risks of serious injury are incredibly high, due to the large amount of toxic waste produced, as well as toxic fumes, all which create a dangerous risk of fires and explosions.
"This was a complex investigation that required specialist support from CBRN trained officers to assist with the execution of warrants, scientific and forensic support, translation services, shipping data and mobile phone analysis."
All three will be sentenced in July.
