Experts tracking the case of four individuals charged with keeping materials that police say could be used for explosives suggest it’s fairly common for scientists to have labs at home, but they also raise numerous safety concerns about what they’ve discovered.
Jerry Tong, Zekun Wang, Fei (Frank) Han and Feiyang (Astrid) Ji are facing charges related to possessing high explosives and manufacturing firearms after a lengthy search of their residence in London, Ont.
The investigation began when police received a trespassing complaint from Western University on January 24, 2026, which led them to the house located in the nearby University Heights area.
In a You Tube video uploaded three months ago, Tong, Wang, and Han discussed their plans for creating a military system designed to counter drone attacks while seeking funding.
“We’re taking on the challenge of stopping weaponized drones,” said Tong in the video titled MORSLAB Pitch Presentation. “MORSLAB is in the right place at the right time, and we hope you can join us.”
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Jerry Tong, Zekun Wang and Fei Han appear in a You Tube video designed to pitch the weapon system to prospective investors. (Jerry Tong/You Tube)
Tong mentions that they operate a garage CNC mill and have their own “chemical lab on site.” The video includes footage of Wang working on their project in a pickup truck parked at 212 Chesham Pl., which has been confirmed as part of the police investigation.
Ji does not make an appearance in the video.
“I think I can speak for engineers who are new grads. It’s pretty usual to start from your own garage, building whatever you need to build,” said Parth Mahendru, co-founder and CEO of Toronto-based Prandtl Dynamics, which develops drone defense technology.
Mahendru shared that he launched his company from his small condo during his last year at engineering school at the University of Toronto before moving operations into a co-founder’s garage in Oshawa.
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Parth Mahendru is the co-founder and CEO of Toronto-based Prandtl Dynamics, which creates drone defence technology. (Submitted by Parth Mahendru)
“If you want to save money, you start small and validate your idea; as soon as you find product market fit or attract customers, you move into an actual facility,” he explained.
“That being said, it’s definitely not typical or safe to store firearms or chemicals in your garage. That just isn’t very safe in my opinion.”
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A screenshot from the MORSLAB pitch video showing a rendering of the proposed drone defence system. (Jerry Tong/You Tube)<P<Davidson mentioned that these wave weapons could disrupt drone operations by interacting with tiny copper wires inside them-either confusing their computer systems or physically melting those wires.<P
“Your little computer doesn’t work anymore so that drone falls from the sky.”</P<P<Mahendru agreed that what MORSLAB described regarding microwave tech seemed reasonable but questioned why they would have explosive chemicals or firearms present at their location.<P
“That perplexed me a little bit,” he stated. “In my opinion there’s no real use for those chemicals related to their anti-drone systems; I suspect that might’ve been some kind of side project.”</P<P<"You [also] wouldn’t need bullets for any of those systems so having firearms doesn’t really add up," Mahendru added.
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Police have been investigating inside the residence at 212 Chesham Pl., in London, Ont., since Jan. 24 2026. (Alessio Donnini/CBC)The Department of Defence as well as Innovation Science & Economic Development Canada were contacted regarding safety regulations but no response was received before publication.
Davidson mentioned having needed approval after giving 60 days notice to test his company’s systems with Defence officials.</P
All four individuals remain detained by authorities pending bail hearings scheduled within days in London court.</P
London police plan an update regarding this investigation during a press conference Friday morning.</P
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What was the London team developing exactly?
Mahendru noted there’s interest in anti-drone technology and various methods engineers are using for development. The MORSLAB pitch video shows multiple animations and designs for their weapon system; according to those accused, it can track drones and disable them by destroying their onboard electronics using microwave bursts. Kyle Davidson, who served 15 years with the Canadian Army and now heads Ottawa-based counter-drone firm Agile Electromagnetics, viewed the London team’s pitch video and felt their explanation was credible.</P “It’s not too dissimilar from your microwave oven at home; if you put metal inside it.. it sparks,” he commented.</PSafety questions arise
Davidson started his own company while living in an apartment too; he pointed out that defense materials are “highly regulated” and expressed concern over whether proper safety protocols were followed by those accused.</P “I’m relieved someone intervened because regardless of any criminal aspects involved here these students likely put themselves at risk with what they were doing,” he remarked.</PSource link
