KEY POINTS:
Police, who arrested three people after another methamphetamine lab was discovered north of Auckland, say they are worried about the risk and danger of the growing number of P labs.
Detective Inspector Steve Wood, field crime manager for the Waitemata Police district, said police searched a house early this morning at Ridge Road, Coatsville, to find a man who had failed to attend a scheduled court appearance.
The armed offenders' squad were involved in the search and the suspected clandestine laboratory was discovered in the garage, he said.
Several cannabis plants were also found growing inside the house, he said.
The fire service decontaminated four people at the house.
Mr Wood said a 41 year-old man was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and cultivation of cannabis.
A woman, 26, and a man, 40, were jointly charged with allowing a premise to be used for drug manufacture.
"At this early stage of the inquiry process there was no evidence that links this scene or the occupants to the suspected clan lab in Wellsford over the weekend."
In that incident two men believed to be linked to a P lab were admitted to hospital with significant burn injuries.
"Police are very concerned at the continued discovery of clan labs such as this as they pose significant risks in terms of the volatile and dangerous chemicals used along with the resulting harm to communities when the commodity is sold and used, " Mr Wood said.
The 41-year-old-man appeared in North Shore District Court this afternoon. The other two arrested will appear in court next week.
- NZPA
