Cocktail of danger uncovered in containers, caravans

Three arrests (with more likely), thousands of dollars of equipment and ingredients allegedly used to make methamphetamine, two addresses, firearms, explosives and surveillance cameras were all part of the scene that unfolded last weekend after Police executed simultaneous search warrants at Ngaruawahia and Blockhouse Bay properties on Friday afternoon [Sept 28].

Armed Offenders Squad officers, the Clan Lab team, the Defence bomb disposal squad, CIB and general duties Police officers from Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland were all part of the mix at various times throughout the weekend.

The Clan Lab team meticulously searched and processed the Ngaruawahia lab over the weekend after the AOS secured the property at about 4pm on Friday.

Two Auckland men, 37 year old David Griffiths and a 43 year-old, were found at the address in River Road and were arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine. A woman arrested at the Blockhouse Bay Road property was charged with possession of a Class A drug and possession of Class C drugs for supply.

Griffiths has been remanded in custody to reappear on 30 October 2012 and the 43 year-old has been bailed to his Auckland address. He will appear in Court again on the same date.

Detective Sergeant Nina Pedersen of Avondale CIB says the Clan Lab team worked throughout the weekend processing the rural Ngaruawahia scene that comprised six shipping containers and three caravans.

"Once the Clan Lab team had meticulously gone through the property and made it safe, the general scene examination got underway on Sunday afternoon and, among other things, staff located a rifle, subsonic ammunition, flares, grenades and explosives.

"This has been an inter-district operation and I'm very proud of the way all officers have worked together at short notice to shut down what experienced Clan Lab staff described as a sophisticated commercial-scale laboratory set up to supply large amounts of illegal Class A drugs. Our investigation is ongoing and further arrests are likely."