Seventh 'P' lab busted by police

Another meth lab was busted today in ongoing raids - with police saying the size of two meth crystals uncovered is startling.

The lab in the Coromandel raided today is the seventh busted so far this week in a major police blitz on 'P' manufacture.

The lab is being dismantled following a search at two properties in the Kaimanua Ranges in the Coromandel, Waitemata police detective inspector Greg Cramer says.

The large lab is one of the most significant finds of the operation, he says.

Even more unusual though say police are two crystals totalling 83 grams between them of high quality methamphetamine or 'P'.

The size of two crystals recoverd from a Glen Innes storage facility are uncommon in New Zealand, Waitemata police detective Paul Baker says.

''The process that's been used is not common in New Zealand. They would have been broken down for sale.''

Among the items recovered through the operation are ''hundreds of litres of precursor chemicals'', glass pipes, bongs, beakers and cooking instruments, and cannabis.

Seven clan labs manufacturing meth and ecstasy have been located and 10 males and one female are facing charges at Auckland District Court following two days of police raids.

Baker says the two rural Coromandel properties, surrounded by dense bush, have taken a long time to search.

''A .25 calibre pistol with numerous rounds of ammunition and a lever action shot gun loaded with five cartridges were found at a Coromandel address.''

The array of weapons seized show the measures manufacturers and dealers will take to protect themselves, he says.

''They're interested only in lining their own pockets, there's no consideration of the harms in manufacturing and distributing of these drugs, the harms are huge.''

''These are some very, very dangerous and hazardous chemicals"

Labs were also found in Glenfield, Ponsonby, Otahuhu, two in Glen Innes, and at Waipu in Northland.

Three children aged between 9 and 15 are in Child, Youth and Family care after being found living in the locations of two clan labs in Auckland.

- © Fairfax NZ News