Four drug labs at Netley, Morphett Vale, Parkside and Happy Valley busted in 11 days
Drug cooks are infiltrating the suburbs, with a surge in secret drug lab busts last month that has police seeking out more – here’s what to watch for.
Police & Courts
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Police are urging people to continue reporting suspicious behaviour to break down the “insidious” drug trade after a spike in the number of drug labs uncovered across South Australia in recent weeks.
From August 13 to August 24, police uncovered various drug labs in suburbs across metropolitan Adelaide including Netley, Morphett Vale, Parkside and Happy Valley.
In each discovery, equipment consistent with a drug lab was found, and arrests were made.
A police spokesperson said authorities would continue to break down drug labs across Adelaide.
“Any police operation which disrupts the organised manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine is a positive outcome for the South Australia Police and wider community,” the spokesperson said.
“We encourage people to provide information on this insidious drug, including dangerous backyard clandestine laboratory setups where amphetamines are made.”
They said people who contact the Crime Stoppers hotline help police attack organised manufacture and distribution of illicit drugs.
“Information provided also helps increase police intelligence on organised crime groups and can help lead to arrests.”
PARKSIDE DRUG LAB
When: 13 August
Where: Glen Osmond Road
Discovery: Police and detectives searched a shed in Parkside and say they located chemicals and glassware which constituted a clandestine laboratory.
Who: The resident, a 57-year-old man, was arrested and charged with manufacturing a controlled drug, possessing prescribed equipment too manufacture, and possessing a prohibited weapon. He was bailed to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court later this month.
NETLEY DRUG LAB:
When: August 14
Where: Ansett Ave
Discovery: Police were called to a home to check on the welfare of the resident at around 5.30pm. Officers arrived to find the door open, but no one inside. While searching for the resident, they found chemicals and glassware consistent with a clandestine lab.
Detectives from the Drug and Organised Crime Task Force processed the scene.
Who: A 41-year-old Netley man was arrested and charged with the manufacture of a controlled drug – after he was taken to hospital for medical assessment. He will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in November.
MORPHETT VALE DRUG LAB:
When: 18 August
Where: Cocks Ave
Discovery: SA Police in conjunction with the AFP located a lab with the capability to produce a significant quantity of methamphetamine. The drug lab was not operating at the time police attended the home. Due to the size of the lab, police took days to process the scene.
Who: A man, 42, was arrested at the Morphett Vale address. A further six arrests have been made since, including two 22-year-old men from Clovelly Park, two 22-year-olds and a 20-year-old man from Mitchell Park, and a 22-year-old Lockleys man. All men will face court before the end of the year.
HAPPY VALLEY DRUG LAB:
When: August 24
Where: Seaview Drive
Discovery: Detectives searched a house and found around 40 cannabis plants being grown hydroponically in two sheds, and a room inside the house, along with equipment consistent with a drug lab.
Who: The resident, a 54-year-old Happy Valley man, was arrested and charged with manufacturing a controlled drug, and cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis.
He appeared in court later that day.
