Police hope the arrest of 25 people in an undercover sting this morning will disrupt the "criminal fraternity and drug supply chain" across Wellington.
The 22 men and three women aged between 20 and 58 around 180 charges among them, including dealing in class A, B, and C drugs, Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson said.
Police searched 25 properties in Upper Hutt, Wellington, Masterton, Martinborough, Carterton and rural Wairarapa.
At a house in Upper Hutt a significant hydroponics cannabis operation and a large amount of dried cannabis were found. Officers also recovered $100,000 in cash and six vehicles valued around $150,000.
The arrests were the result of a 12-month undercover operation dubbed Operation Hunter.
Police have also dismantled a drug syndicate operating within the Wellington District, believed to be responsible for selling $2 million worth of methamphetamine over the past two years, Mr Thompson said.
Those arrested would appear in the Masterton, Upper Hutt and Wellington District Courts later today.