More than 50 arrests after police drug raids
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Wed, 16 Dec 2009
News: National
Police drug raids throughout the country today resulted in more than 50 arrests and the seizure of drugs, firearms and stolen electronic equipment.
The arrests came after three separate operations in South Auckland, Manawatu and Wanganui, and the Motueka district.
A three-month long operation has put 20 alleged drug dealers behind bars after more than 120 police swooped on 17 gang properties in Papakura, south Auckland, early today.
Police said the raids, mostly on Black Power houses, uncovered drugs worth up to $70,000, firearms and a lot of stolen electronic equipment.
They also revealed how the Black Power and Mongrel Mob gangs were working together on drug deals.
The 20 arrested people, ranging in age from 16 to nearly 50, are due to appear in court tomorrow on a range of charges, including possessing and supplying class A and C drugs and conspiracy to supply drugs.
Detective Inspector John Tims, crime manager for the Counties Manukau police district, said today was a "very, very good day for the New Zealand police and the good people of New Zealand."
The raids also uncovered an illegal drugs lab, and Mr Tims said there would be more raids and arrests.
The raids showed the gangs were growing closer in their criminal activities.
"This clearly showed the gangs are working together to supply meth and cannabis in New Zealand."
Young children were at two of the houses raided, and Child Youth and Family were involved.
Mr Tims said the children were very young and were not part of the drug ring.
He would not say how police received the intelligence which led to the raids, but said police could not fight crime without the help of the public and urged people to call the new Crime Stoppers confidential line on 0800 555 111.
"We can't fight crime by ourselves. We need the support of the community," Mr Tims said.
In the Motueka district, cannabis worth about $100,000 was seized when police arrested 18 people after a series of drug raids today.
The arrests were the culmination of Operation Circle, which had focused on the supply and distribution of cannabis in the district.
Police from Motueka and Nelson Bays executed 23 search warrants, resulting in the arrest of 15 men and three women.
Senior Sergeant Grant Andrews said those arrested faced between a total of 29 charges, and it was likely more charges would be laid.
The more serious charges laid so far include three charges of possession of cannabis for supply, four charges of cultivation of cannabis, 10 charges of possession of cannabis and three charges of possession of instruments.
During the searches, three firearms and $7000 in cash were seized, as well as cannabis with an estimated street value of $100.000.
Mr Andrews said more than 30 staff were involved in the raids which searched properties on the Takaka Hill, Motueka Valley and Motueka township.
Patched gang members were among 13 people arrested when police carried out a series of drug raids in Wanganui and Manawatu today.
Nine drugs warrants were executed at houses in Wanganui during the morning at the completion of a month-long operation. Six local men, aged between 27 and 42, were arrested along with a woman aged 29.
Four of those arrested were patched gang members and all have been charged with drugs-related offences.
Police said quantities of cannabis and methamphetamine were found during the searches.
The armed offenders squad was deployed at two properties where there were concerns weapons might be present, but no firearms were recovered and the whole of the operation was carried out without incident.
Meanwhile, nine more drugs warrants were executed across Manawatu.
The raids were not part of the Wanganui operation, but rather a continued focus by police on drug-related offences, said Detective Sergeant Dave Thompson of Palmerston North.
Five of the properties raided were in Palmerston North, with the others in Dannevirke, Feilding and Rewa, 35km northeast of Feilding.
Five men, aged between 20 and 50, and one 39-year-old woman were arrested.
Mr Thompson said specialist entry teams were used at six of the addresses and police recovered cannabis, a small quantity of methamphetamine, methamphetamine utensils, an indoor cannabis growing unit, and a quantity of stolen property including laptops and a motorbike.
"This is day-to-day policing sending a very clear message that if you want to deal drugs or be involved in that scene you can expect us to come knocking on your door," Mr Thompson said.