A Wellington landlord is angry that a man charged with operating a methamphetamine laboratory at one of his rental properties was bailed to continue living in the home.
Monday, June 20th 2005, 6:46AM
by The Landlord
At the same time, police warned Wellington City Council that the house was a potential chemical contamination hazard.
The landlord said the value of the $250,000 suburban home could be slashed if the council marked the bust on a Land Information Memorandum. However, police say their first priority is public safety.
The landlord said his story was a warning for other landlords, who might not report suspicious activities on their properties if faced with a similar situation. He said this would deprive police of valuable information.
He was notified by police shortly after the bust that the presence of hazardous chemicals would be reported to the council, which could then decide to take further action. But he was stunned when the alleged offender, who faces multiple charges of manufacturing, supplying and possessing illegal drugs, returned to the house after being freed on bail.
