Drug, firearm operation nets 45

Forty-five people have been arrested in the Wellington region in a five-day, high-impact crime operation targeting drugs, property and weapons offences.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darrin Thomson, head of Wellington metro crime unit, said more than 40 search warrants had been executed in Operation Groper, aimed at mid- to lower-level drug dealers and those involved in trading property for drugs.

The search warrants were spread across the Wellington police district, including the city area, Kapiti Mana, Wairarapa and the Hutt Valley, and followed similar operations last year.

Those arrested have either appeared or have been bailed to appear in court over the next few days.

Mr Thomson said Operation Groper involved more than 40 police and the Customs Service.

"Police will continue to target individuals who prey on the vulnerable and push hard drugs in order to support their own lifestyle," he said.

At some properties police were concerned to find young children in environments where they were surrounded by drugs and, in some cases, firearms.

"In one Wairarapa house we found a sawn off shotgun beside a school bag in the lounge, and a TV hooked up to surveillance cameras watching the street frontages," Mr Thomson said.

"Children are impressionable and inquisitive. Having drugs and firearms lying around where children are playing or living is a recipe for disaster."

- NZPA