Illegal drug lab destroyed near Adelaide

An illegal drug lab near Adelaide, using a dangerous process not usually seen in South Australia, has been destroyed after Australian Customs officials intercepted precursor chemicals sent from Canada.

The three packages were found to contain 4800 tablets of pseudoephedrine, a precursor chemical used to manufacture methamphetamine.

They led police to a property at Willaston, north of Adelaide, where the drug lab was located.

One person living at the address was charged with importing a marketable quantity of pseudoephedrine.

Customs investigations manager John Beveridge said it was thought to be the first time the production method used at the illegal lab had been detected in SA.

The method is particularly volatile and poses a significant risk to those involved or nearby, he said.

It prompted police to conduct a controlled detonation at the site.