SUSPECTED meth-making chemicals seized in Belfast are potentially so explosive that forensic tests will take months to complete, a court has heard.
The alleged drug-production equipment and cooking instructions were recovered from a van in an underground car park at apartments in the east of the city.
Police stressed the dangerousness of the materials as bail was refused to a Slovakian man charged in connection with the seizure on May 30.
Tomas Sujan (35) of Ballygowan Road in the Castlereagh area, is accused of possessing and producing methamphetamine.
A small quantity of the drug was allegedly found in his flat, with chemicals, suspected deal lists and bags said to have been located in the vehicle parked outside.
Belfast Magistrates' Court was previously told the suspected cooking instructions included temperatures, times and formulas.
Sujan denies any involvement in the production of methamphetamine, claiming that any caustic soda and cleaning products found in the van belonged to someone else.
Newly appointed defence lawyers mounted a fresh application for bail today, offering a £1,000 cash surety and another address outside the city.
Solicitor Ciaran Toner insisted only a small quantity of actual drugs was allegedly involved.
"The police are trying to put together a case by saying there's something more to it," he argued.
District Judge Amanda Brady was told results from forensic tests on the seized material are not due until November 19.
But a detective responded that it was because of the high risks involved in the process.
"A lot of the chemicals are highly volatile and explosive," he said.
"There's a way they have to manage it (during testing)."
Denying bail, Judge Brady expressed concerns over how long it will take to obtain the lab results.
She said: "Police should be trying to put pressure on getting a forensic report earlier than mid-November."