KEY POINTS:
A police blitz on "tinnie houses" in south Auckland has led to the arrest of 40 people.
Sixty drug charges were laid against the 40 people arrested last week as part of the police's campaign against people buying cannabis, which police hope will enforce their "zero tolerance" stance on the drug.
Area Commander Inspector Jim Searle said Operation Disruption searched nine properties alleged to be dealing in drugs.
"We have been responding to public concerns and information about the addresses," he said.
"Over 30 local police staff were involved in executing multiple searches between Wednesday and Saturday."
The operation targeted the arrest of the purchasers of drugs in Otara.
Police arrested 16 people and charged them with a variety of drug dealing offences, a total of 36 charges, he said.
More than $4000 cash and more than $3500 worth of cannabis was seized, he said.
Three people were charged with permitting premises to be used for drug dealing, and police inquiries are continuing in regard to the owners of the remaining properties.
At five addresses, while police searched the premises, they found "customers" entering the properties to purchase cannabis, he said.
At least 22 additional arrests for attempting to procure cannabis were made.
Many of those arrested were employed, with occupations such as roofer, kitchen hand, labourer, mother and students.
Police arrested 14 "customers", intent on buying drugs, in the space of 90 minutes, he said.
"Of interest during the operation was that 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 to buy cannabis," Mr Searle said.
The ages of the other people varied, with the oldest charged being 63 and the youngest a juvenile.
- NZPA
