Eight people are facing more than 70 charges after the culmination today of a nine-month police operation targeting drug dealing in Central Otago and Wanaka.
Police seized an as yet undetermined amount of class C and B controlled drugs, drug utensils and ammunition after executing 14 search warrants.
Class B drugs include cannabis oil and ecstasy, while Class C includes cannabis seed and cannabis plants. Class A drugs include methamphetamine.
Police arrested seven men and one woman on a variety of mainly drug-related charges including selling, supplying and offering to supply class A, B, and C.
Other charges included possession of drug instruments, permitting premises to be used for the commission of offences against the Misuse of Drugs Act and an offence against the Arms Act of unlawful possession of explosives.
Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Blackie, officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Bureau Otago rural team, said the people arrested would appear in the Alexandra District Court over coming weeks.
The end of Operation Helix involved 31 police staff from Central Otago and Wanaka and a police dog and handler from Dunedin.
"As a result of our own investigations and information we've gratefully received from the public, we have identified key people alleged to be involved in drug dealing within our community," he said.
"The arrest of these people will have a significant impact on organised crime in the region. We hope the flow-on effects of reduced crime will make Central Otago and surrounding areas a safer community to live in," he said.
