Police in the Bay of Plenty have uncovered a huge commercial methamphetamine lab after searching a Tauranga property.
Police discovered the lab after executing a number of warrants across the Bay of Plenty region, ending in the arrest of three people.
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The meth lab was located in an area of bush on a property on McLaren Falls Rd. Police say it was capable of producing several kilos of meth a week.
A firearm and ammunition were also found on the property, along with a large amount of cash buried near one of the dwellings.
Two people, a 50-year-old man and 34-year-old woman, were arrested.
Another warrant executed on Tuesday found methamphetamine and cannabis. A 40-year-old Tauranga man is facing drug charges in relation to the items seized.
A third warrant located half a kilogram of MDMA, also known as ecstasy, at another address. Police say charges in relation to the find are likely.
The warrants were executed as part of an operation run by the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG).
The Asset Recovery Unit is working with investigation teams and will look to seize property accumulated through criminal activities.
"It is vital that we tackle this type of offending on two fronts - first, we hold those responsible for the harm they are causing to our communities, and second, their criminal gains are taken from them," Detective Inspector Paul Newman from the NOCG said.
Newshub.
