Police stumble upon suspected meth lab after manhunt

11:30 am on 12 January 2021

A man fleeing police officers in Auckland led them to a suspected methamphetamine lab, police say.

Unexplained death in Taita, Lower Hutt early on Sunday 26th January 2020.  A Police cordon and crime scene invetsigation tent were in place Monday 27th January 2020.

Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen

Detective Senior Sergeant Geoff Baber said the man failed to stop for officers who flagged him down about 5am yesterday in New Windsor, and instead he abandoned the vehicle and ran.

The man was found and arrested on Methuen Road after a police search using a helicopter and dog squad, Baber said.

Nearby, police found a bag with methamphetamine and a gun as well as a property suspected to be a clandestine meth lab.

Police are investigating the property in the inner west suburb.

The man has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, possession for supply of methamphetamine and unlawfully being in an enclosed yard.

He is due to appear in the Auckland District Court today.