Ten houses targeted in Christchurch drug raids

File photo / NZH

Drug raids have been carried out on 10 properties in an extensive day-long police operation in Christchurch.

Six people were arrested and two summonsed to appear in court after raids on the 10 suspected 'tinnie houses' this morning, police say.

More raids are planned for this afternoon.

Northern Sub Area Commander Senior Sergeant Roy Appley says one of the raided properties contained equipment for a large cannabis growing operation.

It was surrounded by security cameras and protected by barricaded doors, he says.

Another four properties had evidence of cannabis growing, three contained people possessing cannabis and two had no evidence of cannabis growing.

He is expecting more arrests this afternoon.

"These tinnie houses are a real scourge on the community.

"We've been under the hammer with some of the events that have occurred here. Sometimes the use of cannabis goes under the radar.

"This is about sending a message to the criminal fraternity that you're not going to get away with it."

A person with $35,000 in their bank account was found in one "very modest" property, he says.

"That gives you an idea of how much money people are making from this.

"This type of offending is disturbing to communities and is often linked to more serious criminal offending."

The operation, which began at 8am, involves 55 staff including the Armed Offenders Squad and drug dog squads.

Police have gone to a total seventy seven houses so far.

They are due to finish at about 4pm.

Drugs raids have been accompanied by police checks on family violence offenders and repeat drink drivers.

Mr Appley says one 29-year-old man with three prior drink driving convictions gave a breath alcohol reading of 1160 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

He was driving for a swim in the river with his two children, partner and dog.

Other police checks found 100 unsecured vehicles in a mall carpark, some with handbags and other valuable items in plain view.

Motorists need to remember to secure their vehicles, says Mr Appley.