Police allegedly uncover drug lab in truck on highway near Port Macquarie

Police have uncovered an alleged mobile drug lab after a stolen truck and trailer was stopped on the highway on the NSW Mid-North Coast.

All four people were taken to Port Macquarie Police Station on Tuesday, where the 34-year-old driver was charged with an outstanding arrest warrant and revocation of parole warrant, as well as 10 offences.

A mobile drug lab was allegedly uncovered when a reportedly stolen truck and trailer were stopped on the highway at Port Macquarie on Monday night.

About 11pm on June 26, police from the Mid-North Coast Proactive Crime Team were patrolling Hastings River Drive when they stopped a truck and trailer reported as stolen.

During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly located items consistent with a clandestine laboratory including glass beakers and chemicals.

Further checks on the vehicle confirmed it had allegedly been stolen from a Newcastle address in February, with the trailer allegedly stolen from Taree earlier this month, on June 17.

HAZMAT crews from Fire and Rescue NSW attended and rendered the scene safe before the vehicle was towed to undergo further analysis by forensic specialists.

A 40-year-old man was arrested at the scene before being taken to Port Macquarie Police Station where he was charged with two counts of goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen, driving while suspended, using a registrable vehicle without displaying authorised number plates, and driving a conveyance taken without the owner’s consent.

He was granted conditional bail to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court on August 9.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au