Thursday, 19 May 2005 - 12:01pm |
Wellington

Two clan labs found in Wellington suburbs

1 min read

Wellington Police are worried people could get hurt if they innocently come in contact with waste products associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Two clandestine laboratories have been found in Wellington in the last two days - both in residential houses.

"It's a concern to us that we're finding clan labs in the suburbs as the manufacture of methamphetamine is hazardous," says Detective Sergeant Sean Hansen, Wellington Organised Crime Unit.

"Those responsible for the clan labs frequently dispose of the toxic waste in household rubbish. It's only a matter of time before some innocent victim, like a rubbish collector, gets hurt when they come in contact with chemicals."

On Tuesday night the Organised Crime Unit and National Clandestine Laboratory Response Team in Wellington executed a search warrant on a Kingston house and found equipment associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

A 27-year-old man was arrested and has been charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply. He has been bailed to reappear in the Wellington District Court on 1 June.

The Auckland based ESR clan lab team spent most of yesterday working with Wellington officers clearing the scene.

This morning, in an unrelated investigation, OCU, the Wellington clan lab response team and the Wellington Armed Offenders Squad searched an Island Bay house and found equipment and chemicals.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and a 43-year-old arrested and charged with obstruction. Both will appear in the Wellington District Court later today.

Detective Sergeant Hansen says six clan labs have been found in Wellington and Lower Hutt this year. "We'll continue to be vigilant in identifying and locating those responsible for methamphetamine."
ENDS