POLICE FEAR OVER AMPHETAMINE LABS

THE alleged discovery of an amphetamine laboratory yesterday in an
Adelaide house has prompted concern that more may be operating in
residential areas.

Police said yesterday the illegal laboratories posed a "significant
danger" to their users and surrounding residents.

The warning followed a raid at a Clearview home where detectives
allegedly discovered a drug laboratory and quantity of amphetamine
powder.

Detective Chief Inspector Deane Paynter, the head of the Drug and
Organised Crime taskforces, said the laboratories were volatile and
being operated by people with no expertise.

"We are extremely concerned by the fact there are amphetamine
laboratories operating in built-up residential areas," he said.

"There is a significant danger of an explosion and there is also the
smell and toxic fumes which are given off."

On Sunday, three people were injured at a Perth house after an
amphetamines factory was found.

Yesterday's raid in Adelaide began just after 9am when detectives and
forensic science experts swooped on a house in Ormond Ave, Clearview.

A man, 33, and a woman, 34, were arrested and charged with taking part
in the production of a controlled substance. The pair were still in
custody last night while they tried to secure a guarantor for police
bail.

They are to face the charges in the Adelaide Magistrates
Court.

Once the rented Clearview house was declared safe yesterday, the
alleged laboratory was examined by forensic experts and crime scene
officers.

Police seized a range of laboratory equipment and chemicals.

It will be alleged a batch of the drug had been "cooked" a short time
before the raid.

Police believe amphetamine powder produced at the house has been sold
locally.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry