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Another seven people have been arrested in what is becoming one of the biggest police crackdowns on illegal drugs and which has now put 51 people before the courts.
The methamphetamine crackdown in Auckland and Waikato began earlier this month when 18 people were arrested after police executed 12 search warrants.
Police confirmed today that 51 people had now been arrested and they had seized $200,000 in cash, 538g of pure methamphetamine with a street value of more than $500,000, nearly 400g of cannabis, 15 vehicles under the Proceeds of Crimes Act, 12 firearms and all the assets from the business premises of Colourway Records in Otara.
All 51 were due to appear in Manukau District Court next month.
The police inquiry began six months ago as part of a police crackdown on street gangs' drug dealings in Auckland and Waikato.
Many of those arrested were members of or had connections to organised criminal gangs The Killer Beez and The Tribesmen.
Police said today more charges could follow. After the first arrests which involved members of the armed offenders squad, police said the operation had been a huge success "and should go a long way to dispel some of the untruths circulated in media over the past months about the true nature of these groups' activities".
The charges were mostly for the possession and supply of drugs but also included firearms charges.
- NZPA
