Saxony police said a search had been conducted in the town of Zeithain, some 65 kilometers east of Leipzig, and that investigations were proceeding into a suspected offence under the Weapons of War Act.
The boy is said to have set up a laboratory in the attic of his parents’ home, where he produced a number of ampules containing a mixture of aconitine and ricin.
Ricin, which is made from the seeds of the castor oil plant, is classified as a biological weapon under the act. Aconitine is a toxin produced by plants like wolfsbane and monkshood.
The aim of the raid was to secure all toxic substances and other evidence, the police statement said. The area around the police operation, including all access roads, has been cordoned off.
Prosecutors said that no arrest warrant had been applied for and that the boy had no criminal record. Currently, there were no reasons requiring his detention, they said.
Source: dpa