Australia: Sophisticated drug lab uncovered

POLICE have seized 2,000 litres of chemicals and drug-making equipment in a raid on a sophisticated drug lab in north-west Sydney.

Inspector Steve Wye from Quakers Hill police said officers were alerted to the stockpile at a warehouse in Riverstone after an anonymous tip-off.

Insp Wye told ABC Radio they uncovered 2,000 litres of chemicals and drug-making equipment in the overnight raid.

No arrests were made.

The drugs had not yet been analysed, but police believe there are enough amphetamines to manufacture a substantial amount of drugs.

"They obviously know what they're doing, (they know) the process from powder to crystal to fluids," Insp Wye said.

"It's, according to the Hazmat (hazardous materials) fire brigade, one of the largest they've ever seen."

Investigations are underway to establish who owned or used the warehouse.

"Inquires will be undertaken by detectives as to who rents the premises, who owns the premises," he said.

"We will be following up a couple of other leads in relation to phone rentals, etc as to who actually belongs to this unit."


Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org/amphetablog.html
Pubdate: Thur, 10 November 2005
Source: The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Email: letters@dailytelegraph.com.au
Website: http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/
Copyright: 2005 The Daily Telegraph