Waikato Police believe a series of searches carried out in and around Hamilton yesterday as part of a wider national operation targeting commercial cannabis enterprises will have seriously damaged the District's illegal drug trade.
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page of the Waikato CIB said two commercial properties and four residential addresses were searched in Hamilton, Whatawhata and Ngaruawahia.
"Our staff recovered 450 cannabis plants, large amounts of dried cannabis and several firearms.
"Among the weapons recovered were a number of military-style semi-automatics and a number of other restricted weapons as well as some that had been cut down."
Mr Page said the discovery of the weapons alongside commercial quantities of drugs further highlighted Police concerns over the link between the illegal arms trade and the trade in illicit drugs.
"Nationally the illegal drugs industry is estimated to be worth $800 million per annum while the level of cannabis harm to the country is about $430 million, to that end people involved in commercial drug enterprises feel the need to arm themselves to protect their 'investments'.
"This results in further risk to the public and accordingly Police are having to deploy in such a way as to meet that risk hence one of yesterday's searches required the support of the Waikato Armed Offenders Squad."
Five people were arrested as a result of yesterday's searches and face a variety of drug and firearms related charges.
Mr Page said that during the course of the two-year operation a number of other cannabis cultivation enterprises were discovered and closed down.
These included the searching of six other addresses in which over 410 cannabis plants were recovered as well as hydroponics equipment, quantities of cannabis oil and over $13,000 in cash.
"Operation Lime was established to address the full spectrum of the illicit cannabis cultivation industry and we believe the Waikato phase of this operation will have a major impact on the ability of those involved to operate in our District."
"While this operation terminated yesterday the fight against drugs continues and we would encourage anyone with any information related to illicit drugs to contact Police or if they wish to leave information anonymously, the Crimestopperes crimeline, 0800 555111."
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