Police have seized $100,000 worth of drugs, and more than a dozen firearms in a series of drug raids on homes in the Wellington region.
Police say 16 people were arrested after the three-day operation last week and face a variety of charges, including possession of class A, B and C controlled drugs for supply, including methamphetamine and cannabis.
Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson said said that a house in the Wellington suburb of Churton Park, police found a hydroponics cannabis growing operation, valued at around $100,000,
The sting also netted tens of thousands of cash, methamphetamine and weapons.
At a home in Paraparaumu, on the Kapiti Coast, police recovered nearly a dozen firearms and cannabis.
"Drugs and firearms do not mix and what we found throughout the operation was of real concern to us," Mr Thomson said.
In six of the 15 properties searched during the operation, police came across children.
"It's always concerning when police find children present at these addresses, particularly where not only drugs, but firearms are present," Mr Thomson said.
Police were taking a zero tolerance approach and alaerted to Child, Youth and Family.
This operation follows a similar operation carried out last month, dubbed 'Operation Hunter', where 25 people were arrested across the Wairarapa, Upper Hutt and Wellington, facing more than 180 charges between them.
