TIPOFF LEADS TO DRUG LAB BUST

Police are urging the public to tell them if they suspect there's a
drugs house in their community.

The plea follows the arrest of two people after the discovery of a P
lab in Manurewa.

The pair are to appear in the Manukau District Court on numerous
drugs-related charges, as well as a charge of failing to provide the
necessities of life for children living in the house.

Constable Kiley Dalbeth says the arrests were made after an anonymous tipoff.

Police were told two people were cooking methamphetamine, or P, in a
residential garage and selling it from the address. The Manurewa
tactical crime unit investigated the report and a search warrant was
executed on July 19.

Because of the hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing
methamphetamine the police clandestine laboratory team carried out the search.

The two suspects were found at the address along with equipment,
materials and substances that can be used for manufacturing
methamphetamine, documentation relating to its sale, business plans,
lists of pill shoppers and pharmacies where pills with
pseudoephedrine can be easily purchased.

A considerable amount of hazardous chemical waste was found inside
the garage, Mr Dalbeth says.

The two suspects were decontaminated in a shower provided by the Fire
Service while the search was taking place.

Two children living at the address were not there during the search.

Police believe the lab had been operating for up to three months.

Mr Dalbeth says people should phone the police if they know of a
drugs house operating in their neighbourhood.

Strong indications of such activity include a lot of traffic at the
address, with people visiting for very short times and at all hours.