Northland Police blitz finds ammunition and meth near Whangarei

A property on Otuhi Rd was search by police during a warrant and methamphetamine and ammunition were allegedly discovered. Photo/ Michael Cunningham

Ammunition and methamphetamine has been seized from a rural Northland home during a major police blitz in the region.

About 60 officers were involved in the operation that started early yesterday with search warrants including a property in the Weke Valley, 14km west of Whangarei.

There were five adults and a child at a property in Otuhi Rd when police arrived just after 6am. Members of the Armed Offenders Squad were also part of the search team.

Late yesterday afternoon the officer in charge of the operation, Inspector Wayne Ewers, said results of the one-day blitz were still being collated but it appeared a number of adults from the Otuhi Rd property had been taken to Whangarei police station to be interviewed and would be appearing in court today."Officers have told me a 'good heap and variety of ammunition' were found," he said.

Mr Ewers said it was always a worry to find drugs and ammunition together.

Another man wanted for failing to appear in Whangarei District Court was found at a Tikipunga house. Officers also discovered methamphetamine, cannabis, drug utensils and ammunition at the property.

A 36-year-old Whangarei man will appear in Whangarei District Court todayon a variety of drug-related charges.

The operation targeted people in Whangarei and Dargaville, identified as high risk or wanted by police, and victims were also visited by officers to put plans in place to reduce the likelihood of them being victimised again.

Officers from Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Whangarei and Kaikohe were divided into five teams.

A number of people with warrants for unpaid fines were also visited and taken to court to sort out payment options.

"It's all about prevention and protecting victims, that's the simple message. The people we are looking for continue to commit crimes and continue to be high risk drivers on the roads," Mr Ewers said.

"This is about getting them before the courts and getting their issues sorted."

On the list were up to 90 drivers who had exceeded their demerit points and should have been off the road.

Officers delivered suspension notices to those drivers who would have to park their cars and refrain from driving for the next three months.

"These people are putting other people's lives at risk and they shouldn't be on the roads."

Checkpoints were held through the day including ones at Raumanga and Onerahi where infringement notices were handed out for failing to wear seatbelts, lack of vehicle registration and warrants and failing to buckle in children.

Police carried out their first operation of this type in May this year when the Whangarei suburb of Raumanga came under the spotlight.

Since then Kawakawa and Kaitaia in July have been the subject of these mass police concentrations.

Mr Ewers said the complete police approach would be used again in the region.