Ten people have been arrested, four drug labs have been broken up, and weapons and cash were seized after police raids across the upper North Island.

Police carried out 10 search warrants across Waikato, Counties Manukau and Northland.

They follow the execution of earlier search warrants linked to a prominent Black Power gang leader on October 22.

Yesterday, four clandestine laboratory sites were identified, and equipment and chemicals were seized.

Police also located methamphetamine, a loaded pistol, cash and electronic devices.

Ten people were arrested for offences including manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine, participating in an organised crime group, conspiring to supply Fantasy and MDMA, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

A 43-year-old woman appeared in the Whangārei District Court on Wednesday, while the remaining defendants appeared in the Hamilton District Court on the same day and were remanded to reappear at a later date.

Detective Inspector Matt Cranshaw said the arrests follow a five-month investigation, with support from frontline police staff across the three districts.

“Operation Leaf has involved police teams including the Organised Crime Squad, Investigations, National Organised Crime Group, Asset Recovery Unit, the Armed Offenders Squad and covert personnel across three police districts,” he said.

“Police will continue to target organised criminal offending and drug production, which causes significant harm in our communities.”

Earlier this week, the Government announced a “bold and comprehensive action plan” aimed at disrupting supply, going after those who profited from the drug trade and rebuilding communities afflicted by meth.

Customs, Defence and the GCSB will run a series of maritime operations across the Pacific – partnering to collect intelligence and identify drug-smuggling ventures on the water – to find, deter and disrupt shipments before they reach New Zealand.

The focus is on the corridor from Central and South America into the South Pacific, where traffickers have used small island states as refuelling and staging points.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith called meth “a scourge on our society”.

“Consumption doubled last year and ultimately, increased meth use fuels organised crime and destroys lives.”