Meth lab remnants found on farm

Northland police are investigating after a farmer found chemicals and equipment for a methamphetamine laboratory on his property.

In December, police found an active clandestine laboratory in a house on the Whangae farm, 62km northwest of Whangarei, which the farmer rented out.

The farmer decided to check the rest of the property after that discovery and has now found remnants of drug manufacturing in the surrounding bush.

Police recovered nine 20-litre drums containing chemicals and waste product, three cooking kits, a firearm, a stolen vehicle and a large area of bush and farmland had to be cleaned up.

The toxic waste left lying around had the potential to cause serious damage the environment, Detective Sergeant Rhys Johnston said.

Those responsible had been using the area for some time.

Mr Johnston praised local farmers for their help and encouraged anyone who saw suspicious activity linked with drugs to call police.

"Police will continue to put pressure on people who persist in manufacturing and dealing in methamphetamine and with help from the public we plan to put a dent in this type of activity."

- NZPA