ARTICLES

Clandestine Drug Laboratories - Environment Health Quarterly Report, 2004 Vol. 7, Issue 3

Rental properties used in the manufacture of methamphetamine (P) – Department of Building and Housing, T74 06/04

Some disturbing facts about P Labs found in NZ during 2006.

(Information provided by the National Drug Intelligence Bureau 2006 Clandestine Drug Laboratory Report published April 2007).

P Lab discovery has continued to increase year on year:

In February 2006, the 1000th P Lab was discovered in less than 10 years
In 2006, 211 P Labs were discovered across NZ
Of the P Labs that were discovered, more than half were in rented accommodation
More than 50% of all P Labs had residents living at the premises
33% of residences had children living at them (90 children were identified)
3 in 4 children were present during the cook process
Only 40% of P Labs found were a direct result of drug-related policing activity
22% of P Labs were discovered by the public
Weapons were found at 33% of P Labs including firearms and explosives

Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by thinking that ideal tenants are professionals, as many people caught manufacturing P are in fact established professionals.

P Lab Offender Demographics are as follows:

Age   < 20    5%
         21-30 27%
         31-45 55%
         46-55 10%
         > 56    1%
European 63%
Maori 27%
Pacific Island 5%
Asian 4%
Male 76%
Female 24%
Unemployed/Beneficiary 45%
Links with gangs 75%

It is understood that these statistics are only indicative of around 20% of the actual offending that is taking place in New Zealand.