Drug labs on the increase

Dangerous methamphetamine labs in the South West could increase due to the ease of making the drug, according to police.

Officer-in-charge of South West detectives Det-Sen. Sgt Jon Munday said police uncovered 15 methamphetamine labs in the South West last year, which included two in Bunbury.

So far, figures have revealed the South West was well on its way to meet or exceed the same number of labs that were uncovered last year.

Det-Sen. Sgt Munday put the burgeoning industry down to people sharing tips on how to make the drug on the internet.

Unfortunately, he said there was nothing police could do to remove the tips from the internet.

‘‘It’s very easily found now how to manufacture methamphetamine on the internet,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s a very dangerous thing to do and it’s not helped by the fact that you can get on YouTube or Google and get step-by-step video on how to do it.’’

Set-Sen. Sgt Munday said he was concerned about an emerging technique known as the shake and bake method, which was said to produce methamphetamine in a soft drink bottle.

‘‘It’s very dangerous,’’ he said.

‘‘I think it results in an explosion more times than it doesn’t.’’

However, he said the number of methamphetamine labs that were busted by police also showed that police were making a concerted effort to crack down on these hazardous drug labs.

‘‘I think we can attribute a lot of the South West uncoverings to police being a lot more vigilant with it,’’ he said.

‘‘The community is more vigilant with it and the more it is in the media, the more we are asking people to come forward with information.’’

He asked the residents of the Greater Bunbury area to come forward with information.

‘‘We don’t get specific information from the Bunbury area so we have to work a bit harder,’’ he said.

He urged residents to be aware of their surroundings and their neighbours.

‘‘If there’s any chemical smells, there is an area for concern and it needs to be reported,’’ he said.

Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with any information.