‘Meth lab’ in camper
Three people hit with drug charges
A FELUGA man, his girlfriend and a housemate are due to appear in court next month after police found what was alleged to be a drug lab in a camper trailer on a rural property.
Tully detectives raided the Midgenoo-Feluga Rd property on Thursday and allegedly found the camper set up in the front yard.
They found what is alleged to be materials and precursor substances for a rudimentary meth lab boxed up in the trailer, along with a white powder which will undergo analysis but is suspected to be methylamphetamine.
Four shortened shotguns with serial numbers scratched off were seized from under the house, along with a crossbow, drug utensils and books on drug production including one “recipe book”.
Tully police Det Sgt Steve Watts said, along with the powder, the items alleged to compose the lab would be analysed to establish if it had been used to cook illicit substances.
He said the risk these types of labs posed was significant, especially in a confined space such as a camper trailer.
“Backyard cooking is highly volatile and dangerous,” Det Sgt Watts said. “There is a risk of serious injury or death.”
Far North police recently warned of a potential spike in the number of backyard labs with meth street prices skyrocketing due to a lack of availability due to COVID-19.
The 23-year-old Feluga man was charged with eight drug or weapon-related offences including possess dangerous drugs. His 36-year-old partner from Innisfail and 33-year-old Feluga housemate are charged with three drug offences.
All three are due to appear in the Tully Magistrates Court on October 10.
Det Sgt Watts said the raid came about due to public help and information gathered during Innisfail police’s Sierra Footrope drug operation, but the two matters are not linked.
Police also allegedly found hundreds of nitrous oxide canisters or “nangs” inside the residence which, in the party drug scene, provide a cheap and quick high for users.