Waikato Police are warning those involved in the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs that they can expect significantly more resources to be applied to shutting them down as activity in the east of the District has shown.
Eastern Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Dana McDonald, said a 26-year-old man will appear in the Hamilton District Court today in relation to drug offending and receiving stolen goods following the discovery of a methamphetamine linked operation in Matamata.
"Yesterday Matamata-Piako staff joined with Hamilton based investigators and members of the Waikato Armed Offenders Squad to search an industrial property in Matamata.
"This came about after information was received from the public. At the property a stolen vehicle was recovered as well as a quantity of material believed to be methamphetamine, various liquids, chemicals and drug paraphernalia."
The site was secured overnight by members of the Waikato Armed Offenders Squad to await the arrival of an Auckland based Clandestine Laboratory Team and other specialists.
"These specialists included forensic examiners from ESR as well as a specialist drug detection dog from Customs, the involvement of these agencies further reinforces the whole of Government response to the issue of not only drugs but organised crime as well."
Mr McDonald said analysis of materials removed from the scene today will give a better picture of just what was occurring at the property.
"Yesterday's discovery was just the latest in a series of successful drug investigations carried out in the Eastern Waikato that have utilised not only Eastern staff but officers from across the Waikato as we seek to apply a whole of Police response to the problem.
"On Monday four people were arrested after armed Police searched three properties in the Thames, Kopu and Kopu-Hikuai areas. These people are now facing a variety of charges for existing warrants and also possession of cannabis and methamphetamine, illegal possession of firearms and manufacturing cannabis oil offending."
One of the key things for those investigating such offending is that the public should not assume Police already know about it.
"The best way to protect your self and your family from the risks associated with drugs is to notify Police of any suspicious activity. If you do not feel safe contacting Police then we would ask that you forward the information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."
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