"Charges follow fleeing driver's clan lab crash"

Police processing of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory found in a car that crashed while the driver tried to flee from Police early this morning has been completed and three people are now facing charges.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Patterson of the Hamilton CIB said the examination was carried out by an Auckland based Clandestine Laboratory Team at the scene on Te Rapa Rd.

"The car had been stopped by a Police patrol in Beerescourt but the driver fled resulting in a short pursuit.

A short time later the car crashed and the driver fled but he was apprehended a short time later by a Police dog and arrested after a brief struggle.

"The Waikato Serious Crash Unit examined the scene this morning and cleared the road for regular use, while conscious of the inconvenience caused this was the most appropriate way of minimizing the risks to the public."

Mr Patterson said that the search of the vehicle have located equipment, chemicals and substances associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

"The 41-year-old driver of the car will appear in the Hamilton District Court today on charges of Dangerous Driving, Failing to Remain Stopped for an Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest and Manufacturing Methamphetamine".
Two Hamilton women aged 42 and 21-years-old who were passengers in the car when it crashed, will each face a charge of Having Possession of Drug Utensils.

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