Authorities in The Hague evacuated residents from around 150 homes on Sunday following the discovery of an illegal drug laboratory operating within a residential neighborhood, Dutch officials reported. This marked the second evacuation in 24 hours related to the site, which was found to contain hundreds of liters of hazardous chemicals stored outside the premises.

The police investigation led to the arrest of four men, aged between 34 and 71, suspected of involvement with the laboratory. Dutch media reported that the lab primarily produced ecstasy and other forms of MDMA.

A police spokeswoman characterized the facility as an unusual setup for a residential area, highlighting the potential risks posed to nearby residents. Specialized teams were deployed to safely remove the dangerous substances and dismantle the laboratory from the inside.

The local council confirmed that all hazardous materials were removed and destroyed, cautioning that the operation carried the risk of releasing toxic substances into the environment. Authorities anticipated that residents would be permitted to return to their homes late Sunday night, pending the completion of the cleanup process.

The swift response underscores ongoing challenges authorities face in combating illicit drug manufacturing in urban areas and managing associated public safety concerns.