Police say they have seriously dented a methamphetamine ring, with about 165 charges laid against 18 people, after raids on properties associated with gangs in Ashburton.
A series of properties were searched in Ashburton during the raids, with police seizing drugs, money and weapons. Photo: Supplied/ Police
More than 100 officers took part in the crackdown, including the Armed Offenders Squad, dog handlers, a specialist search team and staff from Christchurch and Timaru, police said.
Starting on Tuesday they carried out 29 warrants at a series of Ashburton properties.
Police found nearly $20,000 in cash and about $70,000 worth of drugs, including methamphetamine, cannabis and LSD.
They also seized two shotguns, a crossbow, seven imitation firearms, ammunition, and other restricted weapons and illegal firearms parts.
Weapons seized by police during the searches. Photo: Supplied/ Police
Senior Sergeant Leigh Jenkins said it was possibly the biggest drugs bust ever, for the Canterbury town.
Of the approximately 165 charges that were laid against 18 people, most were related to methamphetamine, and more than 60 charges of offering to supply methamphetamine were laid against just one person.
All those arrested were Ashburton locals.
Most were connected to the Mongrel Mob, police said, with others linked to Highway 61, the Headhunters or Mangu Kaha gangs.
A bag of methamphetamine seized by police at one of the Ashburton properties. Photo: Supplied/ Police
It was not just New Zealand's larger cities affected by drug crime and gangs or the harm they caused, Jenkins said.
"And it's not just those who are personally involved in the drug world who are affected," she said. "This impacts families, friends, colleagues, as well as other members of our community who become victims of related offending such as burglaries.
"Criminals think they can get away with their activity in a smaller town, but that's not the case."
More than 100 police staff took part in the raids in Ashburton this week. Photo: Supplied/ Police
Most of those arrested were scheduled to appear in court in either Ashburton or Christchurch courts over coming days.
Among those arrested were:
A 45-year-old man who faces 67 charges, including 61 for offering to supply methamphetamine, and two for unlawful possession of a firearm. He was taken into custody, and was scheduled to appear at the Christchurch District Court on 19 September.
A 50-year-old man who faces 26 charges of possession for supplying methamphetamine, and nine of possession of a Class C drug. He was taken into custody and scheduled to appear at the Christchurch District Court on 19 September.
A 28-year-old man who faces nine charges, including six for supplying cannabis and one for conspiracy to deal methamphetamine.
A 40-year-old man who faces nine charges for conspiracy to deal methamphetamine.
A 53-year-old man who faces seven charges of possession of a Class A drug and one charge of breaching a protection order by being in possession of an imitation firearm.
The busts were part of an ongoing nationwide plan to disrupt illegal gang activities that police have labelled Operation Cobalt.
Yesterday, officers in Auckland seized three guns and some ammunition from a car and property in Remuera.