Drugs, firearms and significant amounts of cash have been recovered by Police at an address in Woodville.
A search warrant was executed on Tuesday (20, March) at a rural home in Hope Street and Police have spent two days searching the property; concluding the search late yesterday.
More than a dozen firearms were located comprising pistols, rifles and a shotgun; many of them loaded. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash was also discovered secreted and buried in various locations within the house, and the grounds. Several small quantities of a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine and a small amount of cannabis were recovered along with some drug utensils.
A 35-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man currently face 14 charges of unlawfully possessing firearms and appeared at Palmerston North District yesterday afternoon. Further investigations are being carried out before a decision is made regarding other charges.
At a property in Grey Street, Woodville, Police discovered an underground concrete bunker being used to grow cannabis. Inside the bunker, the house and in the yard a total of 150 plants and seedlings were found. A 47-year-old man from Woodville has been charged with cannabis cultivation. He also appeared in Palmerston North District Court yesterday afternoon.
A third warrant was executed at an address in Pohangina Valley Road on Monday (19 March). 172 cannabis plants in various stages of growth were being grown both inside and outside. Investigations are ongoing and no arrests have yet been made.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan, from Palmerston North CIB, said: "These cases demonstrate that it is irrelevant where in New Zealand you reside, of how much you attempt to hide your criminality. If you choose to involve yourself with drugs, we will find out and we will come for you."
Anyone who has any information about drug manufacture or supply should ring their local Police Station. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
