Whitehorse man charged in connection with Riverdale meth lab

A Whitehorse man has been charged with production and possession of methamphetaminefollowing an investigation at a house in Riverdaleon Sunday.

Trevor Mendham, 23, will appear in court tomorrow.

Whitehorse RCMP brought in a specialized team from Surrey, B.C. to investigate the house on Alsek Roadafter the fire department noticed suspicious activity there. The fire department was responding to a fire at the home that is still under investigation.

The specialized RCMP team determined the lab was being used to producemethamphetamine, commonly known asmeth.

Methis a powerful stimulant made synthetically with toxic chemicals. The effects of its long-term use include suicidal thoughts, psychosis and brain damage.

Whitehorse RCMP inspector Archie Thompson saidthis isn't the first time police have seen the drug,but he says it isn't very common.

"We certainly don't have any indication there's widespread use of methamphetaminein Whitehorse," he said.

"But it's certainly very nasty consequences for anybody who uses that particular drug."

Police have concluded their investigation at the house and have turned the scene back over to the fire department.