Police say three Wellington men facing drug charges following an inner-city drug lab bust were planning to target music festivals over the summer holiday period.
The 22-year-old men from Hutt Valley and Wellington appeared in the Wellington District Court today charged with conspiring, manufacturing and possessing Class A drug ecstasy for supply. The charges carry a maximum term of life imprisonment.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said that the raid exposed a full-scale commercial operation.
"The lab includes powder, pills, chemicals and equipment including a pill press which police believe has been used to manufacture ecstasy.
"We believe it was set up to distribute thousands of pills at upcoming music festivals over the new year period," he said
He said police were keeping a close eye on any illegal drug activity at music festivals this year.
"We're on your tail. We do hear about you and when we do we'll come after you, we will catch you and put you before the courts and make you account for what you've done."
The organiser of an upcoming music festival in Wairarapa is working with police to ensure drugs do not make it into the La De Da festival.
La De Da festival orgnaiser Josh Mossman said ectasy was the drug of choice for festival revellers.
"We search cars and bags on arrival, even do pat downs if necessary and anything we find we immediately hand over to police," said Mossman.
However, Mossman admits they will never be able to catch everyone.