FOUR primary school-aged children have been found in a house where an alleged methamphetamine manufacturing operation has been uncovered.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Esperance police with members of the Perth-based Organised Crime Squad have carried out a search at a Pink Lake Road house about 7.55am today.
Officer in charge of the Esperance Police Station, Senior Sergeant Richard Moore said the occupants of the house, across the road from the Pink Lake IGA, are believed to have been manufacturing methamphetamine inside.
Four primary school-aged children were at the home at the time of the search, along with five adults aged 25-50, including three women and two men. All are believed to live at the address.
Senior Sergeant Moore said police have seized items of interest, which would be subject to forensic analysis.
Detective Sergeant Andy Elliot from the Organised Crime Squad, said equipment used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine including utensils and chemicals had been found as well as a small amount of suspected methamphetamine.
He said the property was still being searched and officers were interviewing those at the scene. The children had since gone to school, he said.
A blue shelter had been erected at the front of the property due to the rain and weather conditions. About 10 members of the organised crime squad, a chemist,from the Chemistry Centre and police officers were at the scene this morning. At least six police vehicles, including a Hazchem trailer and truck were also there.
Detective Sergeant Elliot said once the search was completed they would be ascertain what charges would be laid. Full forensic analysis would take up to 16 weeks.
Senior Sergeant Moore said the search was carried out following information from the Esperance community and police intelligence work.
"The Esperance community expects a drug-free community," Senior Sergeant Moore said.
He said police would continue to stamp out drugs in the community, which would in turn have a positive impact on other drug-related crimes including domestic violence and impaired driving.
He said since July 13 police have caught nine people driving under the influence of drugs.
