Several children have been found at addresses where six labs manufacturing methamphetamine and Ecstasy were found by police in raids across the North Island.
More than 200 investigators executed 22 search warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act at addresses in six police districts - Waikato, Northland, Wellington and three
in Auckland - yesterday.
Six labs were found and dismantled in Ponsonby, Otahuhu, Glen Innes, Glenfield, and Waipu in Northland. They operated from a variety of residential, commercial and rural properties.
Detective Inspector Greg Cramer, head of Operation Slab, said the intensive six-month investigation had been a great success.
"We expect other clan labs to be found as our inquiries continue. There are ongoing investigations in the Coromandel as we speak," he said.
The armed offenders squad, specialist search teams, clandestine lab investigators, drug dogs and specialist members of the ESR as well as Child Youth and Family were involved in yesterday's operation.
Mr Cramer said police were extremely concerned to discover several children living in premises where the dangerous labs were housed. An 11-year-old boy was found in a house where a lab was in active production, he said.
At another lab location, police found a 15-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy living at the address.
Police seized more than 100 grams of high-quality crystal methamphetamine. Large quantities of specific lab equipment and precursor chemicals were also seized.
Investigations in the Waikato may take several more days. A large area of bush was being searched, and weapons and firearms have already been found.
Police also found a .25 calibre pistol with numerous rounds of ammunition and a lever-action shotgun loaded with five cartridges at a Coromandel address. A loaded crossbow and a sawn-off shotgun, together with ammunition, were found at Auckland addresses. Five vehicles and two expensive motorcycles were also seized.
"Some major players are now out of the drug industry as a result of this investigation," Mr Cramer said.
Ten men and a woman have been arrested, and were to appear in Auckland District Court today. They have been charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and Ecstasy.
- NZPA
