Thomas said the chemicals can be extremely toxic and in many cases produce materials classified as hazardous waste. The cleanup of these ice labs may cost property owners tens of thousands of dollars, and spills and other contamination may render the location unsaleable or unliveable, he said.

Pacific Environmental Corp. of Honolulu was called in to dispose of a large amount of substances from a suspected drug lab at an Onaona Drive home in Kalaoa, North Kona, that was raided by police Sept. 7. A 28-year-old woman was arrested on numerous drug charges.

Police yesterday announced that simultaneous raids were conducted at three homes in Puna last Friday, with officers from the East Hawai'i Vice Section and Ice Task Force, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the state Narcotics Enforcement Division.

West Hicks, 44, of Hawaiian Beaches, was charged with three drug counts after residual amounts of crystal methamphetamine and chemicals and paraphernalia associated with an ice lab and marijuana were found at an 'Opihi Street residence in the Hawaiian Shores subdivision, police said. A second suspect, Clyde Malani, 42, of Pahoa, was charged after officers recovered a rifle and ice. Thomas said police are working with federal agents in seeking federal prosecution of Malani.

In a raid at a Maikoiko Street home in Hawaiian Beaches, police found a suspected crystal meth lab and chemicals, 8.2 grams of ice and 279 marijuana plants. John Moniz, 52, was charged with three drug crimes, while a 47-year-old woman was arrested and released.

A third warrant served at an O'ahu Street address in Nanawale Estates resulted in the arrest of two men and two women on drug charges. Thomas said police found a residual amount of crystal meth and items associated with the manufacture of the drug.

The two women and a male suspect were released, but Robin Cabalis, 34, was taken into custody on two outstanding warrants for contempt of court.

Thomas said most homes used as crystal meth labs also are a point of distribution for the drug. Residents should watch for suspicious activity in their neighborhoods and report any unusual chemical odors, he said.