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Thirty arrests in Waikato over drugs, guns

Author
NZ Newswire,
Publish Date
Thu, 14 Dec 2017, 4:17PM
The search of one property yielded 80 tinnies of cannabis, police said on Thursday. (Photo \ File)
The search of one property yielded 80 tinnies of cannabis, police said on Thursday. (Photo \ File)

Thirty arrests in Waikato over drugs, guns

Author
NZ Newswire,
Publish Date
Thu, 14 Dec 2017, 4:17PM

A Hamilton-based gang used the same plastic bags to deal drugs as they used to provide sandwiches for school lunches, police say.

Thirty people have been arrested after 14 properties were targeted across the district this week, and they will face 87 charges, including serious drug offences relating to dealing methamphetamine and cannabis, firearms offences, and offences involving stolen property.

The search of one property yielded 80 tinnies of cannabis, police said on Thursday.

Detective Sergeant Kristine Clarke said the operation established a clear link between gangs and the distribution and sale of methamphetamine and cannabis.

"During these search warrants we visited properties with prominent gang regalia displayed, where police believe drugs were being sold from," she said.

"Members from various gangs are among those arrested.

"The drugs were packaged in the same plastic bags used by the organised criminal group to provide sandwiches to school children."

Also of concern was a property located next to a kindergarten where drugs were being dealt, gang regalia was displayed and an illegal shotgun found, Det Sgt Clarke said.

"Police will allege that in many cases children were living in an environment where methamphetamine and cannabis was being sold openly from their homes."

Police child protection teams are working with Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki, to ensure the ongoing safety of the children, she said.

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