Explosives lab found in Hokitika

Yesterday evening Police executed a routine search warrant at a Fitzherbert Street address in Hokitika.
The occupants, a 17 year old male and 18 year old female were arrested for unrelated matters and removed from the address.
As a result of the search Police located a large assortment of chemicals commonly used in the manufacture of explosives and pyrotechnics.
The address was cordoned off and a scene guard was in place overnight.
A specialist explosives squad was dispatched from Burnham Army Camp and made an initial assessment of the scene last night.
Today the explosives squad have been working through the address in an attempt to identify all of the chemicals and make it safe. This is likely to continue until all of the chemicals are made safe and removed from the address.
At this stage no charges have been laid in relation to the chemicals and a 17 year old is assisting Police with the enquiry.
No further comment will be made until the investigation is complete.
Constable Tony LeSueur
Hokitika
Telephone: 03 756 831.
Issued By: Sergeant Lindsay Turner