3 arrests from suspected clan lab
Police have arrested 3 people following this morning's discovery of a suspected clandestine drug laboratory north of Auckland.
Detective Inspector Steve Wood, field crime manager for the Waitemata Police district, said: "At 6.00 am Police executed a search warrant at the Ridge Road, Coatsville address to locate a man that was wanted to arrest after failing to attend a scheduled court appearance. The armed offenders' squad were involved in the early morning entry and the suspected clan lab was discovered in the garage. Several cannabis plants were also found growing inside the house".
There were 4 occupants at the address and the Fire Service put these people through a decontamination process before they returned to the North Shore Policing Centre to assist Police with the investigation. No Police were put at risk during the search warrant.
Detective Inspector Wood said a 41 year-old male has been arrested and charged with Manufacturing methamphetamine and cultivation of cannabis. Two other occupants (26 year-old female & 40 year-old male) have been jointly charged with allowing a premise to be used for drug manufacture. Mr Wood stated that, "At this early stage of the enquiry process there was no evidence that links this scene or the occupants to the suspected clan lab in Wellsford over the weekend". In that incident two men believed to be linked to a clan lab were admitted to hospital with significant burn injuries.
Police are very concerned at the continued discovery of Clan labs such as this; as they pose significant risks in terms of the volatile and dangerous chemicals used along with the resulting harm to communities when the commodity is sold and used, according to Detective Inspector Steve Wood.
The 41 year old male charged with manufacturing methamphetamine is appearing in the North Shore District Court this afternoon and the other two will appear next week.
Detective Inspector Steve Wood, field crime manager for the Waitemata Police district, said: "At 6.00 am Police executed a search warrant at the Ridge Road, Coatsville address to locate a man that was wanted to arrest after failing to attend a scheduled court appearance. The armed offenders' squad were involved in the early morning entry and the suspected clan lab was discovered in the garage. Several cannabis plants were also found growing inside the house".
There were 4 occupants at the address and the Fire Service put these people through a decontamination process before they returned to the North Shore Policing Centre to assist Police with the investigation. No Police were put at risk during the search warrant.
Detective Inspector Wood said a 41 year-old male has been arrested and charged with Manufacturing methamphetamine and cultivation of cannabis. Two other occupants (26 year-old female & 40 year-old male) have been jointly charged with allowing a premise to be used for drug manufacture. Mr Wood stated that, "At this early stage of the enquiry process there was no evidence that links this scene or the occupants to the suspected clan lab in Wellsford over the weekend". In that incident two men believed to be linked to a clan lab were admitted to hospital with significant burn injuries.
Police are very concerned at the continued discovery of Clan labs such as this; as they pose significant risks in terms of the volatile and dangerous chemicals used along with the resulting harm to communities when the commodity is sold and used, according to Detective Inspector Steve Wood.
The 41 year old male charged with manufacturing methamphetamine is appearing in the North Shore District Court this afternoon and the other two will appear next week.