Six of the 24 people arrested following a police operation targeting methamphetamine dealers in Northland have appeared in court.
No pleas were taken when Taniora Motu, 48, Christine Marron, 46, Linda Marie Robson, 51, Haley Rose Fryer, 33, Lee David Allen, 37, and Shandy Tira Melissa Allen, 39, appeared before a JP in the Kaitaia District Court yesterday.All are from Kaitaia. All except the Allens were remanded in custody.
The arrests followed the conclusion of Operation Ghost, an eight-month police investigation that targeted meth dealers in Northland, with officers executing dozens of search warrants over the past three days.
Police arrested 11 males and 13 females ranging in age from 18 to 57, and recovered 72 grams of meth with a street value of about $36,000, 500 grams of cannabis, three firearms, one Taser, stolen property, and about $47,000 in cash.
Motu is facing two charges of possessing methamphetamine for supply, one of supplying meth, one of possessing cannabis for supply, and another of unlawful possession of a weapon.