Ginger beer bust fizzes in front of police

A drugs bust in Hamilton yesterday turned out to be a fizzer when officers discovered it was a ginger beer brewing set-up.

The suspected clandestine drugs lab (clan-lab) was being investigated by Hamilton police after a tip-off.

A neighbour said a burglar alarm at the Beerescourt Rd property had been activated, triggering a response from a security firm.

Security firm staff opened the garage at the property and discovered a still. Believing it to be a possible drugs lab, they called police, who arrived in several marked and unmarked cars, and cordoned off a section of the road.

A fire service appliance and firefighters also arrived.

The neighbour said she overheard the resident discussing the situation with officers, and explaining to them it was "my husband's bloody ginger beer set-up".

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead confirmed police had attended a call to a possible clan-lab on Beerescourt Rd after an alarm activation. Believing a clan-lab was set up, they carried out what Mr Whitehead described as "an appropriate response" given the situation and the information they had to hand.

- © Fairfax NZ News