Far North man had meth lab 'in trailer'

A routine traffic stop at Umawera, in the Far North, led to the discovery of a methamphetamine lab at Whangape, police say.

The driver of the vehicle has been charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and possession of equipment for the manufacture of the drug.

Detective Sergeant Mark Robertson said inside the four-wheel-drive vehicle and the trailer it was towing police found what amounted to all the components required for a methamphetamine laboratory.

"We seized equipment, chemicals, basically an entire lab, breathing apparatus and protective clothing," Mr Robertson said.

Two properties in the Whangape area were searched later on Saturday and equipment and chemicals had been found in bush.

A 45-year-old man was due in the Kaitaia District Court today over the find.