Man Suspected of Making GHB Drug
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A 25-year-old Simi Valley man was arrested on suspicion of making a half-gallon batch of a date rape drug in a home lab, police said Friday.
Michael J. Calistro was taken into custody Thursday at his home in the 3800 block of Delano Street after officers went there with a search warrant to look for evidence of marijuana sales, Simi Valley Det. Fred James said.
During the search, officers found an inactive lab and several containers of chemicals used to make a liquid drug known by the initials GHB, James said.
The containers of chemicals were found in a closet in the master bedroom along with half a gallon of the drug, James said. Seven grams of marijuana worth about $100 also were found, James said.
Officers valued the GHB--short for gamma-hydroxybutyrate--at about $10,000.
GHB, also known as Liquid E or Liquid X, acts as a powerful depressant whose effects can last several hours. The drug is odorless and usually clear and can go undetected when mixed with a beverage.
Calistro posted $55,000 bail Friday night and was freed. He must return to court for an arraignment Thursday, a deputy at the jail said.
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