Pubdate: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 Source: Advertiser, The (Australia) Page: 4 Contact: http://www.advertiser.com.au/ Author: Jeremy Pudney, Police Reporter POLICE FEAR OVER AMPHETAMINE LABS THE alleged discovery of an amphetamine laboratory yesterday in an Adelaide house has prompted concern that more may be operating in residential areas. Police said yesterday the illegal laboratories posed a "significant danger" to their users and surrounding residents. The warning followed a raid at a Clearview home where detectives allegedly discovered a drug laboratory and quantity of amphetamine powder. Detective Chief Inspector Deane Paynter, the head of the Drug and Organised Crime taskforces, said the laboratories were volatile and being operated by people with no expertise. "We are extremely concerned by the fact there are amphetamine laboratories operating in built-up residential areas," he said. "There is a significant danger of an explosion and there is also the smell and toxic fumes which are given off." On Sunday, three people were injured at a Perth house after an amphetamines factory was found. Yesterday's raid in Adelaide began just after 9am when detectives and forensic science experts swooped on a house in Ormond Ave, Clearview. A man, 33, and a woman, 34, were arrested and charged with taking part in the production of a controlled substance. The pair were still in custody last night while they tried to secure a guarantor for police bail. They are to face the charges in the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Once the rented Clearview house was declared safe yesterday, the alleged laboratory was examined by forensic experts and crime scene officers. Police seized a range of laboratory equipment and chemicals. It will be alleged a batch of the drug had been "cooked" a short time before the raid. Police believe amphetamine powder produced at the house has been sold locally. - --- Checked-by: Patrick Henry