A 14-day police operation in the Bay of Plenty has led to 115
arrests, the destruction of thousands of cannabis plants, and
the recovery of a significant amount of stolen property.
The bust of organised crime was throughout the Bay of Plenty,
Rotorua, Tokoroa and Taupo.
As well as cannabis and stolen property, the raids netted
varying amounts of methamphetamine and uncovered 10 indoor
cannabis cultivation sites.
One of the cannabis gardens used three rooms of a house to
grow the drug. The drugs haul included 43kg of dried
cannabis.
Police targeted individuals and groups involved in the
distribution and sale of drugs, and those dealing in stolen
property and guns, Detective Senior Sergeant Lindsay Pilbrow
said.
"The consequences of drugs are harmful, and methamphetamine
is particularly harmful. Its impacts are wide-reaching and
beyond the individual user and often translate into other
areas of crime such as burglary, stolen cars, serious
violence and intimidation," he said.
The operation also targeted organised crime, which
manufactured and distributed methamphetamine and cannabis.
Those arrested faced a variety of charges, including
possession and supply of Class A, B and C controlled drugs.
At 10 of the searches police were armed.
The raid also found several firearms including pistols,
rifles and shotguns. Seven people were charged with weapons
offences.
The stolen property included motor vehicles, trailers and
generators worth more than $60,000.
Police worked with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of
Fisheries and New Zealand Customs Service.
The Ministry of Justice recovered more than $100,000 in
outstanding fines.
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