Nine gang associates have been arrested after a car with stolen licence plates led police to an alleged clandestine laboratory in Auckland.
Police said they were alerted to a vehicle with stolen plates being driven in Mt Wellington around 5pm yesterday.
The police air support unit directed officers on the ground to the vehicle, which had arrived at a house in the area.
The vehicle “was blocked in and both occupants were arrested”, Inspector Rachel Dolheguy said.
A search of the vehicle “unearthed an amount of methamphetamine and cannabis”.
The house was then cordoned off as one man was arrested after attempting to flee the property on foot, police said.
“A further six people were eventually called out of the house and were taken into custody,” Dolheguy said.
Police said they located “several items consistent with the operation of a clan lab”.
A 26-year-old man was due to appear in the Auckland District Court on December 3 charged with possessing cannabis.
“Methamphetamine is incredibly harmful to many lives and families in our communities, and we will continue to disrupt its manufacture and supply,” Dolheguy said.
“Our enquiries are ongoing into the methamphetamine located, and we can’t rule out further charges being laid.”
