In a bizarre turn of events reminiscent of the hit TV series “Breaking Bad,” a 23-year-old man from New York is now facing prison time after inadvertently exposing his own illicit drug operation to authorities.
Matthew Leshinsky pleaded guilty on Thursday to multiple drug charges, including the unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine in the third degree, according to announcements from authorities.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney remarked:
“This defendant was operating a Breaking Bad-style drug lab and tried to conceal it under the guise of a legitimate business.” Tierney added, “He then inadvertently turned himself in when he reported that a burglary occurred at that same business.”
The peculiar chain of events unfolded when Leshinsky made a frantic call to 911 around 3:30 a.m. on June 7, reporting a burglary in progress at his purported business establishment, Quantitative Laboratories, LLC, located in Ronkonkoma, New York.
Responding officers discovered broken glass at the entrance, which led them to further investigate the premises.
To their astonishment, they stumbled upon what appeared to be a clandestine laboratory engaged in the manufacture, production, and preparation of methamphetamine and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogenic substance, among other controlled substances.
During a subsequent search, authorities uncovered over 100 pieces of lab equipment, chemical reagents, and solvents typically associated with the production of methamphetamine.
Additionally, they seized a substantial quantity of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), more than three ounces of methamphetamine, over 625,000 milligrams of pure ketamine, and 20 plastic 55-gallon drums containing Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a chemical closely related to Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), or “the date rape drug.”
In total, authorities confiscated more than $40,000 in cash and an array of illicit substances. Leshinsky’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 20, where he will face the consequences of his actions.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with engaging in illegal drug manufacturing and distribution, as well as the unexpected consequences that can arise from attempting to conceal criminal activities.
