Police say they often find children in homes being run as P labs. Photo / Derek Flynn
An 11-year-old girl was found in a Te Puke home that police say was one of the region's largest methamphetamine labs.
The girl was referred to Child, Youth and Family and a medical examination will determine if she suffered any adverse health effects from being in the house.
A specialised
clandestine lab clean-up crew from Auckland was still working at the Conifer Place home yesterday, after it was raided at dawn on Tuesday.
Two men, a woman and the girl were inside the property, which had a house and garage, where a large methamphetamine lab was found.
The acting officer in charge of the Western Bay of Plenty CIB, Detective Senior Sergeant Lindsay Pilbrow, said the size of the lab was "major".
"It's a very large and significant lab. It's not just an out-of-the-car-boot job."
Mr Pilbrow said the crew was still working on the clean-up.
Police were concerned a child was involved.
"We really want to get that child medically taken care of," Mr Pilbrow said.
The two men, 35 and 55, who were already facing methamphetamine-related charges, could face more after the girl is examined.
Mr Pilbrow said police often found young children in homes operating as methamphetamine labs in the Western Bay of Plenty.
"The types of chemicals they use are highly toxic. It's not only the chemicals, it's the possibility of explosions. If that were to happen and a young child is at that location ... there is all sorts of possibilities children should not be involved in."
Nationally, 90 children were found in 47 of 123 clandestine labs uncovered by police from January 1 to November 30 last year, compared with 55 children found at 29 of 135 sites in 2009.
Anyone who suspects that someone is operating a lab can contact police anonymously on 0800 555-111.
- APN
