Armed police raid large P laboratory

Police and ESR scientists examine the scene yesterday. Picture / Richard Robinson

Police have discovered a large methamphetamine laboratory operating from the back of a West Auckland factory.

Members of the armed offenders squad arrived at the factory, on West Coast Rd in Glen Eden, early yesterday with a warrant to arrest a man on historic drug-related offences.

When they entered the factory police found what is understood to be one of the largest P laboratories recently seen in West Auckland.

A woman who worked across the road from the old factory said police sealed off West Coast Rd about 6am and warned her to stay indoors.

"They just said to stay inside because there were armed offenders," said the woman, who wanted to be known only as Rosanna. "It was scary because I was here all by myself."

She said she saw two men being brought out of the factory with their hands cuffed behind their backs.

Each man was placed on the ground while police stood nearby with their guns raised.

Once the factory and surrounding buildings were deemed safe, the men, believed to be in their 40s, were put through a decontamination shower before being taken away in police cars.

Three members of the armed offenders squad and four forensic scientists also went through the shower to remove chemical residue from their bodies.

The P lab is believed to have been at the back of the factory on a level rented since April.

Workers at neighbouring businesses said they were not sure what the tenants did but assumed they ran a car yard of some sort because of all the wrecks lying about.

An extensive police search of the property yesterday included looking inside some of those car wrecks.

One man has been charged with a range of drug-related offences, including manufacturing and possession to supply methamphetamine.

He has also been charged with the historic offences ranging between February 2004 and February this year, including unlawful possession of firearms and explosives, and manufacturing methamphetamine.