RECORD SPEED LABS BUSTED

Police have busted a record number of amphetamine labs in the Northern
Territory this year.

They include two factories where the manufacturer was still "cooking" the
drugs when officers arrived.

Both factories had the capacity to produce millions of dollars worth of
illegal drugs.

Drug Squad Senior Sergeant Les Martin said police across the country were
seeing an increase in the consumption of amphetamines and the number of
laboratories.

"In my opinion, the amount of locally manufactured speed has increased in
the past few years," he said.

Sen-Sgt Martin credited the record number of busts to improved detection
methods by police.

"The use of amphetamines is on the increase in Australia and law
enforcement agencies have had to change the way we do business because of
this," he said.

Sen-Sgt Martin said the public should report suspicious activity to police,
even if the concerns prove unfounded.

Signs of illegal laboratories include supicious activity at odd hours,
strange smells and chemical containers on the premises.