Tokoroa police and the armed offenders squad used tear gas as part of a series of drug raids on properties in the town today.
Detective Sergeant Kevan Verry of Tokoroa CIB said shortly after 5am members of the armed offenders squads from Tauranga and Rotorua simultaneously swooped ontwo addresses in Balmoral Drive, Tokoroa.
Tear gas was used at both addresses, to make sure everybody was out, Mr Verry told NZPA.
"Just on the information we had about the incident it was for the safety of the police, the public and the people involved in the house to ensure that there was no-one left in the house," he said.
"People came out but we just needed to make sure that everyone had come out."
Mr Verry said the tear gas accounted for sounds heard by some members of the public and mistaken for gunshots.
Throughout the day a total of seven addresses in Tokoroa were searched and drugs recovered.
Six people were arrested on a variety of charges relating to methamphetamine, cannabis and firearms offences.
"Some of the addresses searched had links to criminal gangs and Tokoroa police will not tolerate offending by these groups," Mr Verry said.
All people arrested were released on bail and would appear in Tokoroa District Court within the next seven days.
