Christchurch quake: Police stumble on P lab

Photo / Sarah Ivey

Christchurch police and army personnel patrolling the suburb of Dallington this morning stumbled across a man in the process of making methamphetamine.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer of Christchurch CIB said that at about 10am this morning, police were carrying out checks on properties that had been extensively damaged in the Canterbury earthquake to check that residents were okay.

"Police staff went around to the back of a property in Avonside Drive and came across a 33-year-old man who appeared to be mixing chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine," detective senior sergeant Brian Archer said.

Police have since cordoned off the house and the property until an examination by forensic staff has been completed.

A 33-year-old man has been charged with possession of materials capable of being used to manufacture methamphetamine and will appear in the Christchurch District Court tomorrow.

- NZ Herald staff