Man's suspected drug lab that led to HAZMAT investigation was elaborate pot-smoking device

Police in Scottsdale, Arizona, arrested a 35-year-old man on Thursday after finding what they initally thought was a drug lab in his apartment. Police said Samuel J. Oliphant had designed and built a "very complex and elaborate" system inside his apartment for the purpose of smoking marijuana.



Staff at the apartment complex, Optima Sonoran Village, noticed a "strong and unusual odour" coming from Oliphant's apartment on Thursday and contacted police. Authorities went inside and found what they thought was some type of drug lab set-up and marijuana.



Because of how the lab was designed, they had the Hazardous Materials Team respond to dismantle it. "Further investigation revealed that the apparent lab was actually a very complex and elaborate system designed and built ... as a device to smoke illegal drugs," according to Scottsdale Sgt. Ben Hoster.

Initial news video.

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Oliphant was arrested and booked into jail for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and an outstanding warrant. Police commended the apartment staff for contacting them. "They observed something that did not look right and contacted the authorities," said Officer Kevin Watts, spokesman for Scottsdale Police Department. No one was hurt.