A dramatic search of a Cromwell house suspected of being a methamphetamine lab turned up drugs, but no lab yesterday morning.
About 35 police officers were involved in the search.
Firefighters and ambulance officers stood by, as armed police, wearing full hazmat suits and breathing apparatus, entered the Blyth St address about 8.45am.
A 25-year-old woman was escorted from the house first.
Police then searched the house after using a loud-hailer to urge anyone else inside to come out.
A 34-year-old man who arrived after the search was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug utensils.
He will appear in the Alexandra District Court next week.
The woman was questioned by police and later released. Police were last night still deciding whether she would be charged.
Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Blackie told the Otago Daily Times that Child, Youth and Family had also been on stand-by at the house in case children were found.
He said it was ''a tragedy'' that police even had to consider the measures they took yesterday to enter someone's house.
The residence was usually occupied by a family of three, two adults and one child, but the child was not at the house then.
Det Snr Sgt Blackie said police took so many precautions with their gear and approach because they were worried about not only their safety and that of the other emergency service staff, but also the community, neighbours and the people at the house.
Residents spoken to by the ODT at the scene said they had no idea what was going on and did not want to comment before heading back to their homes.
Det Snr Sgt Blackie said a small amount of methamphetamine was found inside the house during the search.
He declined to comment on how long police had been investigating the house or its occupants.
The raid was not part of a bigger operation and to his knowledge the police had not had problems at that address before, he said.
''We just want to reassure the public that as a result of our search warrant, we are satisfied there is no clandestine laboratory, therefore the community should feel safe.''
Police were investigating where the methamphetamine came from.
Any information from the public was welcome, he said.
