KEY POINTS:
The successful raid of a West Auckland property could almost be described as music to the ears of police after they discovered tens of thousands of dollars worth of instruments during a recent drugs bust.
Police had gone to the Massey home looking for drugs but found several other items which had been reported stolen during the past few years.
While some have since been traced back to their owners, police have been left with more than 30 other items - mostly musical equipment and instruments - which are also believed to have been stolen.
Constable Deanne Burrell said the problem with stolen goods was that many people often didn't bother reporting the theft to police.
In this case, only five items were listed or traceable as stolen in police records and they had been taken from as far away as Whangarei and Palmerston North and as long ago as 2003.
For that reason, police now want to hear from anyone who recognises any of the equipment, even if they live out of Auckland or lost it some years ago.
The equipment includes several guitars, a saxophone, keyboard, amplifiers and a mixer. There are also three laptops.
The man who lived at the raided property is before the courts on drug and receiving stolen property charges.
Anyone who recognises the property will need to describe it in more detail and give details of the theft. Contact Constable Burrell on 839 0697.
