The Police Force has made a major breakthrough with the discovery of a clandestine laboratory used for manufacturing illicit substances operating from an industrial area of Namaka in Nadi.

The lab was discovered at the Planet Haze nightclub after information was received from a suspect that was intercepted by Police for allegedly transporting illicit drugs from Suva to Nadi on Monday night.

The lab contained alleged materials and equipment believed to be used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs.

Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho has revealed to FBC News the investigation will be carried out by their specially trained officers using safety equipment. 

“We’ve moved forward an operating base for them in the West because we have specialized trained officers that we have to move in with the right safety equipment to deal with the dismantling and safe storage of that. It’s a high-risk thing to deal with and it’s first of all, for them to make them safe for our officers to continue with the investigation and dealing with the issue.”

Brigadier General Qiliho says the investigation is still in its early stage however, they have a few suspects who have been allegedly operating the lab.

“We are rattling their structures now and disorientating them and that’s one of the issues that we’ve dealt with. That’s not going to be the first and the last. We are aware that there might be similar setups around the place which we are working hard on finding out and breaking up.”

The Police Commissioner says he will be visiting the site over the next few days. 

Meanwhile, the suspect who provided the lab information to the Police remains in custody.

Police searched the vehicle he was driving and seized clear plastics containing crystals believed to be methamphetamine, a white plastic containing powder believed to be cocaine and two bullets of dried leaves believed to be marijuana.

The suspect was arrested and questioned leading to information of the clandestine laboratory.