CHRIST CHURCH: Ten people have been arrested and several clan labs uncovered in a months-long operation targeting the sale and supply of methamphetamine.
The investigation, which began in April, has resulted in the discovery and dismantling of three meth labs in the Bay of Plenty and one in Paeroa.
Six arrests were been made in Palmerston North, Paeroa, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatane.
A further four arrests were made in the culmination of the operation this morning; two Tokoroa men, aged 42 and 27, a 51-year-old and 48-year-old male from Tauranga, as well as a 43-year-old woman will appear in court on drugs charges over the coming days.
Methamphetamine, cannabis, thousands of dollars in cash and suspected stolen property has been recovered. A large amount of drugs, a stolen vehicle and more than $120,000 in cash has also been recovered in previous weeks.
“The impact of this investigation on drug activity cannot be underestimated,” Detective Senior Sergeant Lindsay Pilbrow says.
“The clan labs were large-scale and capable of manufacturing significant amounts of methamphetamine, which would cause millions of dollars-worth of social harm.”
Det Snr Sgt Pilbrow says three of the labs were actively producing drugs.
“Seven-hundred-and-fifty grams of methamphetamine was found at one of the addresses; a significant seizure.”
The Police Asset Recovery Unit for Bay of Plenty and Waikato is now carrying out an investigation to establish the extent to which offenders have benefited financially from criminal activity.
Vehicles believed to be the proceeds of criminal offending have been seized and police are not ruling out the seizure of residential properties.
Anyone with information about drugs cultivation, manufacture of supply is asked to contact their local police station or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.
