Woman charged over P lab arson

A 20-year-old unemployed woman has been arrested and charged with being party to arson, following a suspicious fire at a clandestine drug lab in rural south Auckland on Thursday.

The Takanini woman appeared in Papakura District Court on Friday where she was remanded, without plea, to reappear on August 27.

Police said that a scene examination conducted by ESR and regional clan lab personnel had established the fire was deliberately lit, but it was still to early to determine if any form of accelerant was used.

Investigators were following strong lines of inquiry and further arrests could not be ruled out, Detective Senior Sergeant Albie Alexander of Counties Manukau CIB said.

- NZPA