KEY POINTS:
Extra staff have been brought in to clean up a Hamilton home police say housed a P-lab ranked among the top five such finds in the country.
The clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, or clan lab, was discovered on Thursday in Dinsdale.
Waikato District operations manager Inspector John Kelly said a second specialist team had been brought down from Auckland to help to clear the site. About 30 police, fire and ambulance staff are now working at the scene - more than normal, Mr Kelly said.
"Extra staff have been brought in because of the large volume, quantity and quality of chemicals found at the scene," he said.
"We've had to take special precautions to neutralise these potentially explosive chemicals before the specialist Clan Lab team can re-enter the property and carry out their role."
The operation to clear the house is set to continue today and has required the blocking off of Newcastle Rd and the evacuation of homes at either side and to the rear of the property.
"We're dealing with a deadly cocktail that if handled incorrectly has the potential for dire consequences, so we're taking a safety-first approach," Mr Kelly said.
The sole occupant of the rented property, a 49-year-old man, has been arrested and appeared in the Hamilton District Court on Friday.
He faces six charges of possession of precursor materials for the manufacture of methamphetamine and one charge of manufacturing methamphetamine.
- NZPA
