Police crack down on Waikato gang crime

Two Hamilton gang members have been arrested following a police crack-down on criminal groups in the Waikato.

The two men were arrested after a police search in suburban Melville yesterday turned up 85 grams of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value in excess of $40,000, 85 grams of cannabis, and more than $6000 in cash.

Both men had been charged with selling methamphetamine and possessing and supplying cannabis, and further charges were likely, Detective Sergeant Graham Pitkethley of the Waikato Crime Control Unit said.

Today's arrests followed a search of 40 properties in the Hamilton area last week, which resulted in over 50 people being charged for drugs, firearms and property related offences.

Mr Pitkethley said the earlier search warrants had recovered not only illegal drugs but more than $10,000 of stolen property and a stolen car.

The searches were carried out in conjunction with the district's Armed Offenders Squad.

"In cases such as these we need to be adequately prepared to meet any circumstances that arise and frequently those involved in the illicit drug trade are armed with illegally obtained firearms."

The continuing willingness of drug dealers to arm themselves was of serious concern, Mr Pitkethley said.

"Last year we frequently raised the issue of the correlation between the illegal gun and illicit drug trades in this country and what we found yesterday and last week reinforces our concerns."

- NZPA