Six people have been charged with drug offences after police executed a slew of warrants across Queenstown and warned of escalating violence in the town.
Busts were carried out on Tuesday night and yesterday morning in which about 30 police seized more than 2400 MDMA pills with a street value of about $125,000, as well as LSD tabs, cannabis and more than $5000 in cash.
Otago Lakes Central acting area commander Senior Sergeant Paula Enoka said police were investigating the sale and supply of MDMA because high levels of MDMA had been detected in the Queenstown water supply.
Local bar owners had noticed the effect drug use was having on their establishments and were worried about the safety of their patrons, she said.
"Of additional concern is that several of the drugs seized by police and tested have come back as being made up of different substances than those they are being sold as, putting those who choose to take them at additional risk."
Four defendants appeared in the Queenstown District Court yesterday afternoon on a group charge of supplying cocaine on October 24.
A dancer, of Shepherd Rd, Queenstown, appeared alongside Jordan Walters (32), Keegan Watson-Hopwood (28) and Riki Barrett (26).
Walters, of Howards Dr, Lake Hayes Estate, was also charged with offering to supply cocaine, LSD and MDMA on October 24.
Watson-Hopwood, a chef, of Robertson St, Frankton, was further charged with possession of LSD.
Barratt, of Gorge Rd, Queenstown, faced three additional charges including supply of cannabis, supply of MDMA and failing to assist a detective executing a warrant.
Separately, Shannon Craib (24), of Goldleaf Hill, Queenstown, was charged with five offences, including supply of MDMA and cannabis, and possession of cocaine.
The sixth person in court was Rory Higgins (21), of Marston Rd, Lower Shotover, who was charged with supply of MDMA.
All six were granted conditional bail to appear on February 1 by Judge John Brandts-Giesen, who appeared by video link from the Invercargill District Court.
Their appearances coincided with but were separate from police revealing shocking CCTV footage to the Queenstown Lakes District Council of victims being kicked in the head and hit with glass bottles on nights out.
Sergeant Chris Brooks believed the increasing violence, which he estimated to be up 56% on 2016, was fuelled by drugs and alcohol.
Mayor Jim Boult said he planned to form a stakeholder group to tackle the violence, and described the five-minute compilation video as "horrifying".
"I was disgusted that activity like that is taking place in our town," Mr Boult said.
Sgt Brooks said the matter could not be dealt with simply by arrests and he wanted to nip things in the bud before somebody died.
"We are only one punch away" from another fatality, like that of Queenstown family man Mark Smith on November 19, 2009, he said.
The council will today discuss a police request to ban drinking in public places on Christmas Day, similar to the restrictions for Crate Day.
Sgt Brooks also held concerns regarding drug use and said organised crime was on the rise in Queenstown.
