P-lab busted in Auckland

Half a gram of methamphetamine. File photo / Bay of Plenty Times

Police have busted a P-lab in the Auckland suburb of Penrose this morning.

Officers are at the scene in Oranga Avenue but few details are available.

The bust comes a day after nationwide raids which netted 140 grams of methamphetamine, also known as P, as well as loaded guns and a crossbow.

Police executed 22 search warrants across Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Wellington and found six clan labs.

The Auckland labs were in the suburbs of Ponsonby, Otahuhu, two in Glen Innes and Glenfield.

Detective Inspector Greg Cramer said that this morning's raid was unconnected with those publicised yesterday.

"We expect other clan labs to be found as our inquiries continue," Mr Cramer said.

"Methamphetamine is an insidious drug and it is pervasive through all levels of our society.

"Some major players are now out of the drug industry as a result of this investigation."

Mr Cramer confirmed the 11 people arrested yesterday were known to each other.

When asked if they were part of a gang, he declined to comment.

"It's not something I can go into at the moment. The individuals are before the court."

He said of particular concern to police was finding three children at the addresses, all of whom were now in the care of Child, Youth and Family.

Mr Cramer said 140 grams of crystal methamphetamine was found at the addresses. The drugs have an approximate street value of $140,000.

Five cars and two motorbikes have also been seized.

Mr Cramer said the police operation, code-named Operation Slab, was six months in the making and involved 200 staff including Armed Offenders Squad members and ESR scientists.

"We are also very grateful for information from members of the public."

Asked how police found the labs, Mr Cramer would not comment.

Police also found 100 litres of precursor chemicals and "significant quantities of glassware". He said there was also evidence that the drug Ecstasy had been manufactured at at least one of the addresses.

Mr Cramer said more information would be released later today.