Thirty-five arrested in drug raids

File photo / Northern Advocate

Thirty-five people have been arrested for drug-related offences after a week-long operation by the Wellington Drug Squad.

Operation Mamba involved the execution of around 30 search warrants across the Wellington police district.

Police said drugs seized during the operation included methamphetamine, LSD, morphine and cannabis. Three properties were found where cannabis was being cultivated.

One person arrested was found to have more than $64,000 cash in their possession.

Of particular concern to police was the discovery of a preschooler at a Newlands house where a clan-lab, believed to have been used in the methamphetamine manufacturing process, was discovered.

Police said several addresses had "sophisticated surveillance set-ups", including an electric barbed wire fence at one address and driveway sensors and security cameras at another property.

A large amount of stolen property was also seized by police and a total of five referrals were made to Child, Youth and Family over the course of the operation.

Several hundred thousand dollars worth of methamphetamine and other drugs seized at Wellington Airport about two weeks ago was also part of Operation Mamba.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Hampton said the operation should send a clear message to criminals.

"Anyone dealing drugs or manufacturing drugs within our district can expect to be caught. We're confident we have disrupted the criminal fraternity significantly over the past seven days and we'll continue to conduct similar operations in the future."