Five arrests have been made and drugs seized as Police target drug dealing in Ōpōtiki.
Four search warrants were carried out on Wednesday 15 September, at Ōpōtiki addresses believed to be involved in the sale or supply of controlled drugs.
Drugs and evidence of drug dealing were seized and five people arrested.
Of serious concern is the dealing from one address where children and young people were present and implicated in the supply of cannabis.
Superintendent Tim Anderson says Police will continue these operations to disrupt the sale and supply of drugs to the community.
“I’m very proud of our Police officers across Ōpōtiki and Eastern Bay of Plenty who do not and will not tolerate the harm caused from drug dealers in our communities,” he says.
- A woman, 47, who was on bail for selling controlled drugs was arrested again for possession of cannabis and methamphetamine and for breaching her bail conditions not to be in possession of controlled drugs. She is due to appear in the Ōpōtiki District Court today 16 October.
- A man, 59, was charged with possession for the purpose of supplying cannabis and is due to appear in Ōpōtiki District Court on 23 October.
- A man, 26, was charged with possession of ammunition and further charges are likely in relation to drug offending. He is due to appear in Ōpōtiki District Court on 23 October.
- A youth, 17, was also charged with possession of controlled drugs for the purpose of supply. He is due to appear before the Ōpōtiki Youth Court on 13 November.
- A man, 39, was charged with two offences in relation to displaying prohibited gang insignia. He is due to appear in Ōpōtiki District Court on 23 October.
Evidence in relation to an ongoing motorbike disorder in town was also discovered and separate enquiries continue into that.
Superintendent Tim Anderson says he’s very thankful to members of the community who report this type of offending to Police.
“Please keep it up,” he says. “It really does make our communities much safer places to live, work and play.”
Police are committed to reducing drug related harm in our communities by targeting those who gain money through supplying drugs with the potential to cause serious harm into our communities.
If you have any information that may assist Police in identifying and locating suppliers of drugs into the community, please contact Police on 105 or online via https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105.
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre