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NZ - Drug makers died of carbon monoxide inhalation
Two men found dead in an abandoned Coromandel mine likely died of carbon monoxide inhalation, police say.
Kerry Alexander Murphy, 40, and Grant Christopher Wyllie, 49, were found dead in a cave about 10km west of Whitianga along 309 Road.
A post mortem examination conducted on the bodies of the two men found has been completed, and acting detective senior sergeant Ross Patterson said the preliminary findings "are that they both died from the inhalation of carbon monoxide".
"The inhalation of chemicals fumes from the clandestine laboratory has not been discounted at this stage and the cause of death will be determined by the Coroner," he said.
Patterson said police and ESR forensic specialists removed a significant amount of drug-making equipment and chemicals found at the scene.
Patterson said there had been no explosion in or around the mine and they were not looking for anyone else in connection to the deaths.
He said the deaths showed the risks of operating petrol powered engines, such as generators, in confined spaces.
"This is another case that shows the risks to people's lives when they dabble in the manufacture of controlled drugs such as Methamphetamine.
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"In addition to that, in this case the question has to be asked where were the volatile waste materials associated with the manufacture of this drug being dumped. These waste products are highly toxic and pose a risk not just to people's health but to the environment as well."
Police were led to the 100-year-old tunnel on Saturday evening by a female friend of the pair after she became concerned they have been away overnight.
Locals says the tunnel where the men died was known as the Corra Linn. It is one of many long and narrow tunnels in the area that have with limited ventilation and air supply.
A Whitianga tourist operator, who declined to be named, said the winding 309 Road was popular with tourists, but also had a reputation for drug activities.
"I know of some heavy-duty drug dealers who operate in that area and I'm sure the police have been aware of it for a long time. There are two landowners in particular who are involved in cannabis growing."
In 2006, two Coromandel Peninsula men were found guilty of growing $400,000 worth of cannabis in bush near the 309 Road. In 2000 a police sting in the area snared cannabis plants, firearms, chemicals and equipment used in methamphetamine manufacturing.
Coromandel chief fire officer John Walker said none of his crew were involved in Saturday's callout but he did come across an "unusual sight" while driving along the 309 Road at night.
"I was coming home from a golf staff function in Whitianga about 10.30pm [on Saturday] and as I was coming over the hill I came across three vehicles and there were guys in breathing apparatus. There were no reflectorised vehicles to say police, ambulance or fire and they weren't wearing uniforms. I just kept on driving. There was no way I was stopping on that bloody road at that time of night and there was nothing to identify it as a rescue service. I just kept going for my own safety."
A 309 Road resident Brent Parker said the area was popular with pig hunters but disused mine shafts were a danger.
"I know on the Whitianga side there are a lot of mines all the way over . . . not far from my place . . . someone fell down a shaft a few years ago."
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/drug-makers-died-carbon-monoxide-inhalation-5129815
Two men found dead in an abandoned Coromandel mine likely died of carbon monoxide inhalation, police say.
Kerry Alexander Murphy, 40, and Grant Christopher Wyllie, 49, were found dead in a cave about 10km west of Whitianga along 309 Road.
A post mortem examination conducted on the bodies of the two men found has been completed, and acting detective senior sergeant Ross Patterson said the preliminary findings "are that they both died from the inhalation of carbon monoxide".
"The inhalation of chemicals fumes from the clandestine laboratory has not been discounted at this stage and the cause of death will be determined by the Coroner," he said.
Patterson said police and ESR forensic specialists removed a significant amount of drug-making equipment and chemicals found at the scene.
Patterson said there had been no explosion in or around the mine and they were not looking for anyone else in connection to the deaths.
He said the deaths showed the risks of operating petrol powered engines, such as generators, in confined spaces.
"This is another case that shows the risks to people's lives when they dabble in the manufacture of controlled drugs such as Methamphetamine.
Advertisement
"In addition to that, in this case the question has to be asked where were the volatile waste materials associated with the manufacture of this drug being dumped. These waste products are highly toxic and pose a risk not just to people's health but to the environment as well."
Police were led to the 100-year-old tunnel on Saturday evening by a female friend of the pair after she became concerned they have been away overnight.
Locals says the tunnel where the men died was known as the Corra Linn. It is one of many long and narrow tunnels in the area that have with limited ventilation and air supply.
A Whitianga tourist operator, who declined to be named, said the winding 309 Road was popular with tourists, but also had a reputation for drug activities.
"I know of some heavy-duty drug dealers who operate in that area and I'm sure the police have been aware of it for a long time. There are two landowners in particular who are involved in cannabis growing."
In 2006, two Coromandel Peninsula men were found guilty of growing $400,000 worth of cannabis in bush near the 309 Road. In 2000 a police sting in the area snared cannabis plants, firearms, chemicals and equipment used in methamphetamine manufacturing.
Coromandel chief fire officer John Walker said none of his crew were involved in Saturday's callout but he did come across an "unusual sight" while driving along the 309 Road at night.
"I was coming home from a golf staff function in Whitianga about 10.30pm [on Saturday] and as I was coming over the hill I came across three vehicles and there were guys in breathing apparatus. There were no reflectorised vehicles to say police, ambulance or fire and they weren't wearing uniforms. I just kept on driving. There was no way I was stopping on that bloody road at that time of night and there was nothing to identify it as a rescue service. I just kept going for my own safety."
A 309 Road resident Brent Parker said the area was popular with pig hunters but disused mine shafts were a danger.
"I know on the Whitianga side there are a lot of mines all the way over . . . not far from my place . . . someone fell down a shaft a few years ago."
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/drug-makers-died-carbon-monoxide-inhalation-5129815
