Five people in custody after firearms incident leads police to alleged clandestine drug lab

Five people are in custody after a firearms incident led police to an Auckland site allegedly used to manufacture illicit drugs.

Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill said police responded to reports of a person allegedly in possession of a firearm on St Jude St in Avondale at 5.50pm last night.

“The police Eagle helicopter attended, providing ground staff information from above while responding to the matter,” Darvill said.

“As a precaution, police staff were armed and cordons were put in place.”

When police arrived, a 27-year-old man was taken into custody without incident for an unrelated matter.

As police searched the address, a second man was also found and taken into custody.

Four people were arrested in relation to the laboratory: a 39-year-old woman, a 57-year-old man, a 43-year-old woman, and a 53-year-old woman. Photo / Hayden Woodward

“During the search, police located equipment associated with an alleged clandestine drug laboratory at the property,” Darvill said.

Four people were arrested in relation to the laboratory, Darvill said.

Three women, aged 39, 43 and 53, and a 57-year-old man are due to appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow, charged with possessing equipment with intent.

Emergency services are attending St Jude Street in Avondale, where police discovered equipment associated with an alleged clandestine drug laboratory at the property. Photo / Hayden Woodward.

“Members of the public will see a police presence in the area while inquiries are ongoing,” Darvill said.

The 27-year-old man is due to appear in Auckland District Court on Monday, facing a charge of aggravated robbery with an offensive weapon for an unrelated matter.

“The investigation is at an early stage and further charges have not yet been ruled out,” Darvill said.

St Jude St in Avondale was cordoned off for several hours. Photo / Hayden Woodward.

An NZME photographer at the scene said the street was cordoned off for several hours, with emergency services.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said two trucks and a hazmat unit responded to the incident.