'Major players' caught in P bust

Police have found 140 grams of meth, also known as P, as well as loaded guns and a crossbow as part of a nationwide bust.

Police executed 22 search warrants across Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Wellington and found six clan labs.

The Auckland labs were in the suburbs of Ponsonby, Otahuhu, two in Glen Innes and Glenfield.

Detective Inspector Greg Cramer said 10 men and one woman have been arrested and will face charges in the Auckland District Court.

"We expect other clan labs to be found as our inquiries continue," Mr Cramer said.

"There are ongoing investigations in the Coromandel as we speak.

"Methamphetamine is an insidious drug and it is pervasive through all levels of our society.

"Some major players are now out of the drug industry as a result of this investigation."

Mr Cramer confirmed the arrested people are known to each other.

When asked if they were part of a gang, he declined to comment.

"It's not something I can go into at the moment. The individuals are before the court."

He said of particular concern to police was finding three children at the addresses, all of whom are now in the care of Child, Youth and Family.

Mr Cramer said 140 grams of crystal meth was found at the addresses.

The drugs have an approximate street value of $140,000.

Five cars and two motorbikes have also been seized.

Mr Cramer said the police operation, code-named Operation Slab, was six months in the making and involved 200 staff including Armed Offenders Squad members and ESR scientists.

"We are also very grateful for information from members of the public."

Asked how police found the labs, Mr Cramer would not comment.

Police also found 100 litres of precursor chemicals and "significant quantities of glassware".

One of the labs was "active" when police raided the house yesterday.

Mr Cramer said more information would be available tomorrow.