Rental properties used as drug houses
Mike Welsh - 2CC Interview with Detective Superintendent Steve Mewburn
23 November 2005
Mike Welsh: With the news out yesterday from Australian Federal Police in regards to a warning to real estate agents and those who rent out homes to be aware of people who are setting up labs and hot houses for drugs. On the line Steve Mewburn Australian Federal Police Superintendent; good afternoon Superintendent.
Steve Mewburn: Good afternoon Mike, how are you?
Mike Welsh: Good, now what should people be looking for here?
Steve Mewburn: Well there are two main things that we need to look at: if we're looking at it from a clandestine laboratory point of view, we're probably looking for people to just be mindful that there could be a lot of chemicals lying around, dangerous chemicals too I might add. In relation to the hot houses as you've described them, things like unkempt houses, windows with black plastic over them, all those sorts of hallmark type indicators are indicators to look for.
Mike Welsh: Is there an upsurge in this sort of activity in the ACT of late?
Steve Mewburn: No certainly not of late; in relation to the clan labs, we've only seen a couple of those over the last few years so, I wouldn't really say that they're prevalent but it's timely that we just remind people that they are extremely dangerous.
Mike Welsh: They'd most likely be in the rural areas would they, is that your understanding?
Steve Mewburn: That'd be a fair guess to say, that they're probably easy to be keeping out in the rural areas more so than inside suburbia.
Mike Welsh: What if the property's a little bit suss, that don't necessarily turn out to be suss?
Steve Mewburn: Well particularly running into this time of year which is probably your natural growing period for cannabis, yeah we do find that through our Crime Stoppers program that we do get a lot more calls around about this time of year.
Mike Welsh: What if it sort of looks like no one lives there; some cases need a little more care wouldn't they?
Steve Mewburn: We've got a way of weeding out what may on the surface look suspicious but we can certainly work out by other means whether or not there are illegal activities.
Mike Welsh: So Crime Stoppers number would be the way to go?
Steve Mewburn: If it's general information that people are concerned that things may happen, certainly ring Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, but if by chance someone stumbles across a Clan Lab that is actually actively being used, we suggest call the Police Assistance line on 131 444.
Mike Welsh: It's a bit more urgent?
Steve Mewburn: Yes, definitely, as I mentioned they can be extremely volatile, and an extreme place to be so we suggest that you just call police straight away.
Mike Welsh: Appreciate your time.
Steve Mewburn: I appreciate yours too Mike.
Mike Welsh: Superintendent Steve Mewburn from the AFP, and I guess the thing is be aware of what's around, it would stand out if it was a home in your area, however there appeared to be some activity there.
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