Fifty arrested in major drug bust

Bags of methamphetamine. File photo / Supplied

Over 50 people in the lower North Island face a combined 200 charges following a police operation targeting drug offending.

Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson from the Wellington CIB said today the arrests in the last seven days followed the execution of search warrants in the greater Wellington and Wairarapa areas.

The charges include manufacturing methamphetamine, heroin and cannabis oil, along with morphine possession.

Some will also face charges for firearms offences, theft and receiving stolen property.

As part of the sting, labelled Operation Cobra, police were able to use powers to freeze assets.

"We also targeted a number of people who appeared to have acquired assets beyond their income and as a result we have restrained $200,000 in bank accounts and are investigating the finances behind several properties with Proceeds of Crime legislation being utilised," Mr Thomson said.

He said the operation had caused significant disruption among those involved in the drug trade and sent a message to others that such offending was being actively targeted.

Operation Cobra had been three months in the planning and involved over 80 staff, Mr Thomson said.

- NZPA