Two men will face court today after a drug lab was found in an underground bunker at an Evanston South property yesterday.
The discovery comes from a joint investigation involving SAPOL’s Serious and Organised Crime Branch Detectives and Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Officers located a methylamphetamine laboratory at the Evanston South property about 6pm on Thursday 14 May. The laboratory was located secreted in a purpose built bunker on the property.
Detectives and forensic chemists are currently dismantling the laboratory with support from MFS and SA Ambulance Service. The nature and extent of the laboratory is such that it is expected that Detectives expect to be processing exhibits for several days.
A 43-year-old man from Greenwith and a 54-year-old man from Munno Para were arrested and charged with manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug. Both men were refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 15 May.
“SA Police continue to work with partner agencies to bring those responsible for the manufacture of controlled drugs to justice”, said Detective Superintendent Steve Taylor, Officer in Charge of SA Police Serious & Organised Crime Branch.
“Clandestine laboratories involve the use of toxic and flammable chemicals which pose a significant risk to the community, police and the drug cooks themselves. People who manufacture or sell illicit drugs can face penalties up to a $500,000 fine or life imprisonment and can also have assets such as houses and cars seized”.
AFP Superintendent Investigations Gail McClure said, “The AFP works closely with its partners to protect South Australian communities by way of disrupting their criminal endeavours”.
“COVID-19 has far reaching implications for everyone in society including criminal networks”.
“It is apparent that drug suppliers continue to adapt to the changing circumstances and local production of drugs continues to provide a business opportunity completely disregarding the health and wellbeing of the community.”
“It is to be reinforced that methamphetamine ‘cooks’ are creating dangerous environments to conduct this type of activity again having no regard for the safety of the community.”
“Police remain vigilant in our collective efforts to identify and disrupt criminal behaviours in the enduring effort to protect Australian society.”
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