Drug busts: 13 arrests, drugs, cash & guns seized

Methamphetamine seized during police raids at addresses in Rotorua, Tokoroa and Te Puke. Photo / New Zealand Police

Police have made 13 arrests in what they call a “significant investigation into methamphetamine dealing by an organised criminal group in Rotorua”.

The Bay of Plenty Organised Crime unit executed warrants at addresses in Rotorua, Tokoroa and Te Puke over the past three weeks as part of an investigation into the sale and supply of methamphetamine in the Rotorua area.

Around 300 grams of methamphetamine was located and seized along with three firearms, approximately $50,000 cash, electronics and stolen trailers, a statement from police this afternoon said.

Approximately $50,000 of cash was seized after search warrants in the Bay of Plenty and Tokoroa.
Approximately $50,000 of cash was seized after search warrants in the Bay of Plenty and Tokoroa.

Those arrested are now appearing before the courts on a range of charges.

They include several patched gang members who are facing charges including possession of methamphetamine for supply, supplying methamphetamine and participating in an organised crime group.

Police also seized several vehicles include a Harley Davidson, a Holden Commodore and a Ford Ranger and will allege through the courts that they were purchased with the profits from criminal activity.

A firearm seized during police raids at addresses in Rotorua, Tokoroa and Te Puke. Photo / New Zealand Police
A firearm seized during police raids at addresses in Rotorua, Tokoroa and Te Puke. Photo / New Zealand Police

Detective Sergeant Leonie Smith said the seizures and arrests will make a significant dent in drug offending in the city.

“We know the harm methamphetamine does in our community and our team has worked tirelessly to gather a significant amount of evidence ahead of terminating.

“This demonstrates the commitment to hold people to account by putting them before the courts and ensuring they are stripped of assets bought with their criminal profits.”

– SunLive

1 comment

Excellent

Posted on 20-12-2024 08:07 | By Yadick

Another EXCELLENT job by our Police Force. Well done and THANK YOU.
Let's hope the blazé courts back our Police now. I sure won't hold my breath though. It'll be a sentence discount for upbringing, a discount for cultural reports, a discount for early guilty plea, a discount for remorse (the only remorse from them is they got caught), a discount for this, a discount for that, a discount for the other, a discount for Christmas . . .
What about all the harm caused, the illegal trading (perhaps even in Ponamu - just saying), the family's destroyed, the ongoing trauma to their victims, the ongoing cost to society, the addictions caused . . .


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