Two German nationals in Queenstown and two Alexandra women are expected to reappear in court on Monday following a string of drug busts this week.
A teenage girl also apprehended in Alexandra has been referred to Police Youth Aid.
Otago Lakes Central Police acting area manager investigations Detective Senior Sergeant Miriam Chittenden yesterday said police were not aware of any connection between the Queenstown arrests and those in Alexandra.
In the first of the operations, three search warrants were executed in Alexandra on Wednesday targeting the supply of MDMA and cannabis.
The three addresses were linked to long-term supply of illicit drugs. Two women were believed to be established suppliers in the area, and another was originally from Canterbury, she said.
A youth was referred to Youth Aid for supplying cannabis.
The three women face a raft of drugs charges. Two have been charged with supplying cannabis to a person under 18 and other charges include supply of methamphetamine, conspiracy to deal methamphetamine, and selling cannabis to a person over 18.
Det Snr Sgt Chittenden said the operation led to the seizure of about 500g of cannabis, along with evidence of drug dealing.
Selling drugs to young people was particularly concerning, she said.
The three women were remanded on bail to appear in the Alexandra District Court on Monday.
Two men were arrested in Queenstown after search warrants were executed on Thursday relating to supply of cannabis.
More than 2.5kg of cannabis was recovered, worth an estimated street value of $40,000-$60,000, plus cash. The ODT understands it was more than $100,000.
LSD was also located, with evidence of other drug-related offending, she said.
The men were remanded in custody after a brief appearance in the Queenstown District Court yesterday and inquiries were ongoing.
The men were charged with possession for supply of cannabis and likely to reappear in court on Monday, Det Snr Sgt Chittenden said.
"As a result of these arrests, the drug trade in both Central Otago and Queenstown will have been significantly disrupted."
