Suspected Meth Lab Allegedly Held Explosive 'Shake-and-Bake' Bottles

Police say 19 Oxford St., which was searched by police and DEA agents on Nov. 7, contained an emerging type of easily hidden, highly dangerous means of producing meth—using soda bottles.

Speaking at a neighborhood meeting Tuesday night, Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello said the suspected meth lab at 19 Oxford St. contained evidence of a new and emerging type of methamphetamine production that involves small, highly volatile, potentially explosive batches of meth concocted in soda bottles—known as "shake-and-bake" bottles. Unlike traditional methamphetamine production methods, which require a fair amount equipment and outdoor space and which emit a telltale odor, the new "shake-and-bake" method allows meth producers to make the drug in small, enclosed spaces that are easy to hide, and it cuts down on odors. According to Pasquarello, when police and DEA agents searched 19 Oxford St. on Nov. 7, "we had five of these…

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Week in Review: Top Stories This Week

WEEK IN REVIEW: Suspected Meth Lab, Elections

Plus, Somerville High School's headmaster announces plans to resign, and Veterans Day.

Suspected meth lab on Oxford Street Police, DEA agents and state police bomb technicians raided a residence at 19 Oxford St. Monday as part of an investigation into a suspected meth lab. The story made news throughout the Boston area. Arrest in suspected meth lab investigation On Friday, police announced they had arrested 29-year-old Grigory Genkin, who lived in the second floor of 19 Oxford St., in connection to the suspected meth lab investigation. Incumbents win Tuesday's election In a city election held Tuesday, Somerville voters decided to send incumbents back to City Hall. Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone ran unopposed; the city's four at-large aldermen won re-election, as did incumbent aldermen Robert Trane (Ward 7) and Thomas …

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No Arrests in Oxford Street Drug Investigation

The investigation into an apparent meth lab is still in the "relatively early stages," according to Somerville Police.

Police have made no arrests so far in an investigation that brought DEA agents, police, people in hazmat suits, a state police explosives team, Somerville firefighters and ambulances to a residence on Oxford Street Monday morning. Monday's law-enforcement action closed down part of Oxford Street, a leafy residential block close to Somerville City Hall, and attracted local news helicopters to the skies above Somerville. Deputy Chief Paul Upton of the Somerville Police confirmed the activity was part of "a drug related investigation," but didn't provide further details as to the nature of the investigation. He said the investigation originated with a DEA task force, which has a representative from Somerville Police as one of its members. …

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DEA Agents At Oxford Street Residence, Unconfirmed Drug Lab

Part of Oxford Street was closed off Monday morning as DEA agents, men in HAZMAT suits, police and firefighters responded to a suspected 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…

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