Three people arrested after armed police search Pōkeno property, specialist search team deployed

Three people have been arrested at a rural Waikato property as part of an ongoing investigation into the manufacture and supply of Class A controlled drugs.

A police spokesperson said officers from the Bay of Plenty Organised Crime Unit and Counties Manukau Offender Prevention Team alongside the Armed Offenders Squad carried out a pre-planned search warrant in the early hours of this morning.

Armed police executed a pre-planned search warrant at a rural Waikato property on Razorback Rd. Photo / Hayden Woodward

“Two men, aged 29 and 38, and a woman aged 31, were located at the property and were taken into custody.”

Police discovered an item of interest buried near the garage, with detectives taking a photo of it, a witness said.

Police blocked off Razorback Rd shortly after 5am and a spokesperson said “specialist teams” were making inquiries.

Armed police executed a pre-planned search warrant at a rural property on Razorback Rd just after 5 am. 01 July 2024. New Zealand Herald Photograph by Hayden Woodward

A Herald photographer at the scene said the armed officers were “wearing chemical coveralls over their tactical gear”.

The photographer saw several people being asked questions as multiple officers, including a specialist search group and the Eagle helicopter, searched the area.

“Two neighbours who pulled over for a look both said police were at the same address only two or three weeks ago,” the photographer said.

“They mentioned that armed police and helicopters were involved as well.”

Armed police executed a pre-planned search warrant at a rural Waikato property on Razorback Rd in the early hours of the morning. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.