Clan labs located in Northland and Auckland

Northland Police have located three clan labs in the Whangärei and Auckland areas after investigating a crime syndicate operating in Northland and Auckland.

On Tuesday (Sept 20) Police executed 10 search warrants in Whangärei, Wellsford and Auckland.
Along with the three clan labs they found chemical components associated to a clan lab in a Whangärei storage unit.

At one clan lab discovered in Pakiri, north of Auckland, Police also found firearms. The clan lab at Howick was found in a shipping container along with approximately 10 grams of methamphetamine, utensils used in the manufacture of the drug and some cannabis.

Police located a number of stolen laptops, utensils for using and manufacturing methamphetamine, and some ammunition at a Wellsford address.
At a Whangärei address Police found some cannabis oil, cannabis utensils, indoor cultivation equipment and two firearms.

As a result of the search warrants a 37-year-old South Auckland man was arrested and charged with breaching conditions of home detention, possessing methamphetamine for supply, and possessing pre-cursor equipment and chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine.
The man appeared in the Manukau District Court on Tuesday September 20 and has been remanded in custody to appear again on Thursday September 29.

Northland Acting District Manager Criminal Investigations Inspector Paul Dimery says a thorough investigation by Police has resulted in the discovery of a major crime syndicate that is manufacturing and dealing in methamphetamine.
"There are still a number of offenders to locate in relation to these search warrants, however we are still actively looking for these people and will find them."

This group of offenders regularly rents motels, batches and holiday accommodation to use as venues for the manufacture of methamphetamine.
They are also known to use storage units for their equipment and chemicals, such as the one located in Whangärei.

Mr Dimery says landlords and/or their agents need to be vigilant about whom they rent their properties to.
"If people are aware of any suspicious activity in their rental properties then they should contact Police immediately, as some of these offenders are known to carry firearms and are willingly contaminating top end holiday accommodation."

"The chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine are highly toxic and may have detrimental affect on subsequent tenants."

Mr Dimery says Police will continue to crack down on the illicit drug trade and the criminals who run them by disrupting organised crime groups.

He says the public can also play its part in targeting those who manufacture and supply illicit drugs by contacting their local police or calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

If anyone has information relating to suspicious activity on rental properties in the coastal areas of Auckland and Northland then they can also contact Detective Andy Glendinning on 09 430 4500.

ENDS

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