Thirteen people have been arrested following a series of raids across Manawatu and Wanganui.
Nine drugs warrants were executed at residential addresses in Wanganui throughout this morning; the culmination 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.
Quantities of cannabis and methamphetamine were found during the search warrants. AOS were utilised at two of the addresses due to concern of possible firearms at those addresses, but no firearms were recovered and the whole of the operation was carried out without incident.
Meanwhile a further nine drugs warrants were executed across Manawatu; again at residential addresses. This was not part of an operation; rather a continued focus by police on drug-related offences.
One of the addresses was in Dannevirke, one in Rewa, two in Feilding and five in Palmerston North. Five men aged between 20 and 50 and one woman aged 39 were arrested.
Specialist entry teams were used at six of the addresses and police have recovered cannabis, a small quantity of methamphetamine, methamphetamine utensils, an indoor cannabis grow, and a quantity of stolen property including laptops and a motorbike.
Detective Sergeant Dave Thompson of Palmerston North Police said: "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."
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.