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Drug users were so intent on buying tinnies from a South Auckland drug house that they walked right past police officers in high-visibility jackets to complete their deals.
The desperate drug buyers were caught last week during an operation that targeted nine known tinnie houses in Otara and led to 40 arrests.
During the raids police were stunned to see people still trying to purchase drugs despite a strong police presence outside the houses.
At one house police caught 14 people trying to buy drugs during an hour and a half - which equates to roughly one arrest every six minutes.
Area commander Inspector Jim Searle said for every person who was intercepted, another potential buyer saw the police and changed their minds about entering the property.
However, Mr Searle said not every potential buyer was deterred. "On at least one occasion a purchaser walked past a police officer wearing a police identification badge and a high-visibility police jacket to try buy cannabis."
Mr Searle said a total of 60 charges had been laid, nearly half of which were for dealing. Many of the people charged with attempting to procure cannabis were employed and included a roofer, kitchen hand, mothers and students. They varied in age from a minor to a 63-year-old.
Operation Disruption targeted tinnie houses that were identified in an earlier ongoing operation called Beware, which was designed to target the purchasers of drugs following requests from the community.
