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A 26-year-old mother found at an illegal drugs laboratory in Christchurch last night will deny charges of failing to provide her two children with the necessaries of life and allowing her premises to be used for manufacturing methamphetamine.
Desiree Antonia Bastiaanse made a brief appearance in Christchurch District Court today after police discovered the drugs lab at a Hills Rd, Shirley, house they were visiting on unrelated matters.
As well as allegedly allowing the house to be used for making drugs, Bastiaanse also faces a charges under Section 51 of the Crimes Act of neglecting her legal duty to provide necessaries for a girl aged six and a boy aged four, so that the children were endangered.
Duty solicitor Karen Feltham told Judge Jane McMeekan that Bastiaanse would plead not guilty to both charges and sought a remand on bail.
Police prosecutor Nigel Wolland did not oppose bail, but sought a curfew.
Judge McMeekan said she would impose an 8pm to 7am curfew on Bastiaanse because the charges were "serious".
She remanded her on bail for a pre-depositions conference on September 14.
Police are still looking for a man in connection with the drugs lab.
National figures released last week showed police dismantled 211 drug labs in 2006 - an increase of 3.43 per cent on the previous year.
Children had been present in one-in-three labs found in houses.
- NZPA
