Possible meth lab found

A possible drug lab has been unveiled in a police raid of a prolific offender’s rural Banks Peninsula property.

Methamphetamine, an airgun and ammunition were also found at the property of a 38-year-old man, who was arrested late on Wednesday night after a car chase through New Brighton.

He appeared in Christchurch District Court yesterday morning on several charges, including possession of methamphetamine for supply, driving offences, stealing a vehicle and possession of an offensive weapon.

Further charges, related to what is believed to be a drug lab at the Magnet Bay property, were likely to follow, a police spokesman said.

A New Brighton property connected to the man was also searched, and inquiries were continuing.

New Brighton resident Paul McCall said he heard police cars just after 11pm and went to check ‘‘what the excitement was about’’.

The wanted man had allegedly led officers on a car pursuit in the suburb.

McCall said he saw about 10 police cars ‘‘with guns all pointed at this four-wheel drive’’ and ‘‘the police dog barking away’’ as the man was arrested at the roundabout in front of his Seaview Rd home.

‘‘It was just like watching movie scene. He basically finally got out of the car, it took about 15 minutes for him to react. He got out, put his hands on his head and they cuffed him, then searched his car.’’

McCall said the incident was over by about 11.45pm.

An Oram Rd resident, who did not want to be named, said she was woken by a car driving past her house ‘‘at great speed’’ about 11.10pm.

‘‘You could tell it was out of control. It was revving really hard.

‘‘I thought it was going to crash into our house.’’

A police spokeswoman said a ‘‘range of police units’’ responded to the incident, but no gunshots were fired, contrary to residents’ comments on social media.