A Kansas University staff member was arrested Monday on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance in a KU lab, the KU Public Safety Office said.

The crime reportedly occurred between 6 a.m. Thursday and noon Friday in Malott Hall, a police report said.

Police arrested a 28-year-old medicinal chemistry research aide for producing methylenedioxyamphetamine, or MDA, in the lab. The substance is chemically similar to ecstasy and used illicitly for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties.

“We take allegations of use of KU facilities for illegal activity seriously and strongly condemn any such activity,” said university spokeswoman Jill Jess. “Law enforcement was contacted immediately when the university became aware of the activity.”

The incident was reported to police by the suspect’s co-workers just before 8:30 a.m. Monday, police said. The suspect was arrested about noon Monday at the KU Public Safety Office, 1501 Crestline Drive.

The suspect was booked into the Douglas County Jail, but released Monday night on a $15,000 bond. The case is being reviewed by Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson’s office and no official charges have been filed in court, a spokeswoman said.

The KU worker is employed half-time at the university in an entry-level research support position, Jess said. His salary is $22,725.

“Any misconduct will be addressed in the course of appropriate disciplinary action, which may include dismissal,” Jess said of the university’s response to the situation.