15 arrests in Northland P bust

Fifteen people have been arrested in Northland in a police operation targeting gangs and the manufacture of the drug P.

Most of the people arrested were associates of the Head Hunters gang, alleged to have been involved in the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine for some time, Senior Sergeant Rob Huys said.

The arrests were made after police searches early this morning of 11 addresses in the Whangarei area, in which P, cannabis, drug utensils, $7000 in cash and $1000 worth of stolen property were found.

Police also seized six vehicles, electronic surveillance equipment and four large screen televisions in lieu of unpaid fines.

Seven people appeared in the Whangarei District Court today on drugs and burglary charges, and eight were due to appear tomorrow. More than 300 charges were laid in total.

Police searches in recent weeks leading up to today's arrests also found a clandestine P lab near Whangarei, and $24,000 in cash.

- NZPA