Four face court after clan lab equipment and guns found

Four people have been charged after police found clan lab equipment and firearms during searches at three properties in Northland and West Auckland.

Officers, including the armed offenders squad, carried out two warrants simultaneously in Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads and Birdwood Rd, Massey during the early hours of this morning.

During the search at Mangawhai Heads, police located two kilograms of ephedrine, along with ingredients and equipment used for manufacturing methamphetamine.

Two people were arrested.

Inquiries at the Massey location led police to a third location in Kumeū, where police found equipment sufficient for a clan lab, as well as a loaded double-barrel shotgun, a loaded glock, and an unloaded rifle.

Following the Kumeū warrant, several people were detained nearby and two of these people face charges.

Detective Sergeant Misilei Fa'aofo said he was "very pleased that we were able to intercept the some of the production and supply of illicit drugs entering our community, as well as take some firearms off the streets".

"The amount of social harm this could have caused, had it not been intercepted, would be astronomical and I’m glad these offenders can now be held to account," he said.

A 41-year-old man was due to appear in Auckland District Court on December 12 with multiple charges of possessing equipment with intent to manufacture, unlawfully possessing firearms, possession of equipment to cultivate cannabis, and possession of equipment for cultivating cannabis.

A 46-year-old man was due in North Shore District Court today charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, and two counts of possessing equipment with intent to manufacture.

A 45-year-old woman was also due to appear in North Shore District Court today charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

A 32-year-old man was due in Waitakere District Court today charged with possessing methamphetamine for supply.