Three people have surrendered to police after a large operation which police say put pressure on criminals.
In the past few days 117 police from across Waikato converged on Hamilton in a crackdown on serious crime.
Three people had surrendered to police and eight others had been arrested on a variety of charges including warrants, breach of bail, shoplifting, burglary, and drugs charges.
Police city commander, Inspector Rob Lindsay said the three surrendered because of pressure from police.
"The friends and family of the three people who gave themselves up had been visited by police over recent days and informed they would continue come to our attentions until their associates were located."
Assistant commissioner Grant Nicholls, who was in Waikato this week, said other areas around the North Island could expect similar treatment.
Mr Lindsay said the link between dishonesty and drug offending and firearms became apparent when armed police recovered a stolen mountain bike at Te Awamutu.
"A firearm was recovered hidden at the address as well as a machete. Later that day armed staff interrupted two men at an east Hamilton home preparing cannabis cigarettes for sale."
He said in the house police found more drugs, a rifle and ammunition. During another search in the Hamilton suburb of Hillcrest, police found seven firearms.
