Explosion Leads To Meth Lab Discovery

SARASOTA, FL — A 25-year-old Sarasota man is in hot water after an explosion at this home led to the discovery of a methamphetamine lab.

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a home in the 3400 block of Fairview Drive around 2:45 p.m. Jan. 10 after reports about an explosion came in. When deputies arrived on the scene, firefighters told them that resident Andrew Ilardi had admitted “the explosion was the result of various chemicals he was using to produce methamphetamine,” an email from the agency said.

After conducting a subsequent warrant search on the property, deputies found chemicals and over-the-counter medications that are used to make meth, the email said.

Ilardi was charged with production of methamphetamine and booked into the Sarasota County Jail. He was being held Wednesday in lieu of $7,500 bond.

Booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office