POLICE FIND ONE A WEEK

AN amphetamine lab is being busted in Melbourne's suburbs every five
days under a police crackdown to prevent a gangland revival.

Victoria Police uncovered 74 drug operations last year - more than
double the number three years before - and another seven last month.

Senior police have told of the push to keep pressure on the
underworld speed and ice market.

"We don't want a situation where the market is that lucrative that
we've got power plays between organised crime groups," said Det-Supt
Jack Blayney of the Crime Department.

"They have been more focused on expanding their business and
eliminating other people for the business.

"What we would like to see is them more worried about us."

A Sunday Herald Sun investigation into Melbourne's drug landscape
has also found:

CRIME bosses are luring chemical scientists to become amphetamine cooks.

CHILDREN are present in one-fifth of the labs and are exposed to
carcinogenic fumes and explosive ingredients.

CRIMINALS have masqueraded as chemists and drug company
representatives to obtain bulk amphetamine
precursor pseudoephedrine, which is used in flu tablets.

The removal of several high-profile figures from the drug market has
left low-level cooking rings and sophisticated operations fighting
for the spoils.

Almost 1.5 million people in Australia have taken amphetamines.

But police warn that users are often taking a chemical cocktail of
solvents and ammonia made in filthy equipment.

"Anyone who takes an illicit drug is basically taking a great risk
because they don't know what's been put into it," Det-Supt Blayney said.