Two men are in custody after a report of a person with a gun in Auckland’s Avondale led officers to what they believe was a "clandestine drug lab" operating in a property near the town centre last night.
Police were called to an address on St Jude St, a stone's throw from Avondale train station, at about 5.50pm.
Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill said officers had “received a report of a person allegedly in possession of a firearm”.
“As a precaution, police staff were armed and cordons were put in place,” he said.
A police helicopter was also called in, “providing ground staff information from above while responding to the matter”, Darvill said.
“Upon police arrival, a 27-year-old man was taken into custody without incident.
“While police searched the address, a second man was located and taken into custody.”
Darvill said officers then made a further discovery inside.
“During the search, police located equipment associated with an alleged clandestine drug laboratory at the property.”
A clandestine drug lab is a makeshift set-up used to manufacture illegal drugs.
Police have not said what drug they believe was being made.
A 1News videographer at the scene saw three people sitting on the footpath under police guard. They were later seen wearing boiler suits.
Darvill said one man would appear in court on Monday on a separate charge.
“A 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,” he said.
“The investigation is at an early stage, and further charges have not yet been ruled out.”
He said people in the area could expect to see officers around for some time.
“Members of the public will see a police presence in the area while enquiries are ongoing.”
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