Inside $5.5m Brisbane ‘Breaking Bad’ meth lab bust

One of the biggest and most disturbing commercial meth labs ever seen in Queensland has been uncovered in a busy Brisbane industrial area.

A Breaking Bad-esque meth lab busted in a Brisbane industrial area is one of the biggest and most disturbing commercial labs police have seen in Queensland in many years.

More than $5.5 million in crystal methamphetamine and $500,000 cash was seized from the Pinkenba warehouse during a raid on Tuesday morning after a month-long police investigation.

Police arrested a man they believe is linked to the Lavarack Rd lab at Brisbane International Airport on Tuesday trying to flee Australia to a country in South-East Asia, but there’s still more potential suspects on the run.

Inside the clandestine drug lab raided by police in Pinkenba on March 6.

Brisbane Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said the amount of drugs seized and the purity of the meth was almost “chemist” grade, and something police had never seen cooked to this level in Queensland.

“What I’m concerned about is that we are turning the page into a darker chapter than we have seen previously, we have always had the scourge of meth, but this highly pure crystal form of the drug has primarily been imported,” he said.

“We see them perfecting the method here (in Queensland).”

Inside the clandestine drug lab raided by police in Pinkenba on March 6.

Police found 27kg of “finished product” crystal meth at the warehouse, which they say was cooked in two different ways.

One of the processes used at the lab was the P2P method - the primary method for large-scale production in America and Mexico which used different chemicals and created a more intense product.

It’s also the same method used in the popular TV show, “Breaking Bad”.

Detective Massingham said it was extremely rare in Queensland for meth “cooks” to successfully turn liquid into crystal meth, resulting in importation from other countries.

Inside the clandestine drug lab raided by police in Pinkenba on March 6.

“What concerns me is that we now have a home grown situation where they’ve perfected the synthesis of methamphetamine to crystal.

“So for that to be here, to see it here in this scale, and the ability of them to then manufacture and refine the meth down into that crystal substance, that is highly unique.

“This is a large, commercial operation using a technique primarily pioneered in the USA and Mexico, and now it’s on our doorstep.”

Inside the clandestine drug lab raided by police in Pinkenba on March 6.

Detective Inspector John Mison said the drugs were almost “chemist” level quality, and said those involved potentially had some training in chemistry or had been taught by someone.

The lab was hidden in plain sight in a commercial business complex in Pinkenba, nestled in a warehouse between 19 other businesses and next to commercial fuel tanks.

Detective Superintendent Massingham said it was the “perfect location”.

“Hidden amongst people coming and going, traffic in the street, commercial fuel tanks which may appear to give off a smell from time to time. I think they’ve chosen a pretty smart location.”

Inside the clandestine drug lab raided by police in Pinkenba on March 6.

Detective Massingham believes the lab has been running for a number of months and had the potential to produce “hundreds of kilograms” of meth over an extended period.

Police will allege there were also “loose” ties with organised crime.

“That is what is most concerning about this part job for me … we don’t want that to commence here in Queensland.”

“Nothing was stopping this packing down and moving to another commercial location … or them franchising this methodology out to other organised crime groups.”

The 38-year-old Albion man was charged with 12 offences, including trafficking dangerous drugs.

Daniel Hernandez worked just metres from the warehouse but said he never suspected a thing.

“It’s crazy, blows my mind, they had a really good facade, they had deliveries all the time and you think they’re just tradies,” he said.

“The garage door was constantly closed … it looked legit.”

Another worker said new tenants moved into the warehouse a few weeks ago, but he had no idea what was happening inside.

The Albion man was due to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Detective Inspector John Mison warned police will continue to target dangerous and illegal drugs in our community.

“Our officers work tirelessly to detect, disrupt and dismantle these type of illegal drug activities, and I commend the diligent efforts of all involved in this substantial operation,” Detective Inspector Mison said.