The Boulder County Drug Task Force busted a suspected ecstasy lab next to Summit Middle School in south Boulder this morning.

Several streets will remain closed while agents investigate.

Authorities raided the house at 720 S. 46th St., off Table Mesa Drive, at 6:20 a.m. and discovered what they believe is raw material used to manufacture ecstasy, according to Cmdr. Stephen Prentup of the drug task force.

Prentup initially said police found enough chemicals to produce 80,000 to 150,000 doses, but Boulder police spokeswoman Julie Brooks downgraded that estimate to 50,00 to 80,000 doses.

Officials are still testing the material to confirm whether the lab was used to manufacture ecstasy.

"This is huge," Prentup said. "This is the first one in a couple years."

The property's back yard runs up against Summit Middle School property, and is separated by a 6-foot-tall wooden fence.

The home's two residents — a man and woman who have not yet been identified — were arrested and transported to the Boulder County Jail after being decontaminated, Prentup said.

They face charges of drug manufacturing and distribution, and could face a sentence-enhancing charge because the home is within 1,000 feet of Summit Middle School.

The home is owned by Debra Cerio, 41, according to Boulder County property records. Cerio also has registered to vote at that address.

Prentup said he couldn't say whether Cerio is one of the two people arrested this morning. However, deputies at the Boulder County Jail confirmed that Cerio is there awaiting booking.

"This is really surprising," said Norell Leung, 24, who lives near the house raided this morning. "You don't really think about this happening across the street. This block is usually so quiet."

Because of the investigation and the sensitive nature of the chemicals involved, police have closed the 500, 600 and 700 blocks of South 46th Street.

Neighbors are being told they can stay in their homes or leave — but if they leave, they can't come back until the streets are reopened, Prentup said.

Investigators plan to keep the streets closed for four to eight more hours, Prentup added.

The raid was conducted early this morning over concerns about students arriving for orientation at Summit Middle School, Prentup said. School officials were notified of the operation, he said.

Briggs Gamblin, spokesman for the Boulder Valley School District, said a new-student orientation for incoming sixth-graders at Summit is going on as planned today. School administrators met with authorities, and determined it would be safe to continue the event.

"Because it wasn't a meth lab, it wasn't as serious a concern as far as air quality goes," Gamblin said.

Hanover Street is still open, and families have been using the school's west side entrance to get into the building.

The students are meeting in small groups with teachers and are under adult supervision throughout the day, Gamblin said.

In addition to the task force, the Boulder Police Department, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office and the Boulder Fire Department also are involved, as well as hazardous-materials crews.

Four agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency also are participating in the operation.

"It's a cast of dozens," Prentup said.

Officers remain on scene and are being sent into the house wearing protective gear to photograph and collect evidence. Because of the hazardous chemicals present, Prentup said, each agent can only spend 20 minutes in the house before being rotated out.

Camera staff writer Brittany Anas contributed to this report.

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