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Armed police have arrested 10 gang members on charges of manufacturing and supplying the drug methamphetamine also known as 'P'.
The 10 were arrested at houses in Manurewa early today and police said further arrests were likely.
All 10 were in police custody and were expected to appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow.
Detective Inspector John Tims from the Counties Manukau police said the raids followed a three-month investigation by the Organised Crime Unit into the activities of high-profile gang members.
"These gang members are alleged to be involved in manufacturing methamphetamine in clandestine laboratories in the Counties Manukau area," he said.
More than 100 police were involved in the operation and police had located and shut down three illegal laboratories.
He said police had also found pre-cursor chemicals, quantities of methamphetamine, firearms and a substantial amount of cash.
"The arrests send a strong message that police and the community will not tolerate organised criminal gangs involving themselves in producing and supplying methamphetamine, a drug which is responsible for considerable harm in the Counties Manukau community," Mr Tims said.
- NZPA
