KEY POINTS:
Thirteen people were arrested in the lower North Island this morning in a major swoop by armed police searching for methamphetamine.
Inspector Mark Harrison of Palmerston North police said at about 7.30am 80 police officers, including members of the armed offenders squad, executed 20 search warrants in the Levin, Palmerston North and Wanganui areas.
The warrants were to search for methamphetamine as well as cannabis and firearms, Mr Harrison said.
They came at the end of a six month covert investigation codenamed Operation Pandora carried out by the Central Districts Organised Crime Unit.
Eight men and five women were arrested and will appear in Palmerston North and Wanganui District Courts on charges of conspiring to supply methamphetamine.
During the searches a pistol and ammunition were found and three vehicles were seized, Mr Harrison said.
The investigation was continuing.
- NZPA
