DEA Agents At Oxford Street Residence, Unconfirmed Drug Lab

DEA agents with jackets that read, "DEA Clandestine Lab Enforcement Team," in addition to men in HAZMAT suits, Somerville police and Somerville firefighters spent Monday morning at an Oxford Street residence.

Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello, who was on the scene, did not have any comments about the reason for the large show of force. Speaking to Somerville Patch at about 12:45 p.m., he said efforts were "still active."

Though it is unconfirmed, it appears DEA agents had raided a drug lab at the residence, which is located between School Street and Trull Lane, about a block from Somerville City Hall and not far from the high school.

A neighbor, who asked not to be named, recounted what a police officer had told her earlier in the morning: That there was a drug "lab" at the residence, and that one officer said it was a crystal meth lab.

Neighbors said the residence is occupied by an older woman and her son. They said the apparent raid began at about 9:15 Monday morning, when unmarked police cars and unmarked DEA trucks descended upon Oxford Street.

Early Monday afternoon, several DEA trucks lined Oxford Street as men in HAZMAT suits entered and exited home, sometimes putting what looked like flower pots into plastic bags.

At one point, a member of the law enforcement team was heard to say, "fire in the hole," which was followed by the small "pop" of an explosion.

Helicopters from local news television stations hovered over the area, drawing the attention of neighbors.