A wanted Bay man armed with a loaded 9mm pistol was pepper sprayed as he fought with police who allegedly found $40,000 worth of hard drugs in the car he was in.
The drama unfolded on Grace Rd early yesterday morning, startling neighbouring Avenues residents.
An 11-year-old boy who said the arrest happened outside his bedroom window, told the Bay of Plenty Times how terrifying it was.
"It was right next to my window and I was shaking with fear. I woke to the sound of police saying `get down, stay down' and heard police dogs barking.
"I stayed where I was. I was really scared."
About $40,000 worth of class A drugs have been uncovered and police were this morning still searching the vehicle and making a number of further inquiries.
Acting Senior Sergeant Darryl Brazier said about 1.30am yesterday a member of the public phoned police about a vehicle being driven erratically.
Officers stopped the car in Grace Ave and found that one of two occupants, was wanted on a warrant for breach of parole.
Police promptly arrested him but before they could contain him, the man ran off. They gave chase on foot and called in backup and armed officers found him a short time later at a nearby house.
During an attempt to subdue him, he was pepper sprayed but that was only partly effective.
Police say the man made several attempts to remove something from his jacket and when they were able to search him, they found a loaded 9mm pistol, complete with magazine attached.
After a closer inspection of the car, police also found a large amount of cash and items believed to be consistent with the manufacture of the drug methamphetamine, or P.
A quantity of white powder believed to be P and a bullet proof vest were also discovered.
Police are not prepared to say how much cash was located.
Inquiries are still continuing in relation to the other occupant of the car but a man appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and not guilty to a breach of parole charge.
He was remanded in custody to reappear in court on August 4, when a number of further drug-related charges will be laid.
As a result of inquiries, a 40-year-old Mount Maunganui man was also arrested at 4pm yesterday for possession of the class A drug LSD. He was not the other occupant of the car.
Mr Brazier said the arrests mean police have put at least one metham-phetamine laboratory out of action, which had made a difference to the drugs supply, albeit a small one.
Mr Brazier said given the number of items that are commonly used in the manufacture of P that were allegedly discovered in the car, it was clear the man was "doing business".
"Clearly someone out on the streets in the early hours of the morning armed with a loaded gun and class A drugs is a recipe for disaster.
"In the circumstances the situation could have been quite different,"
Mr Brazier said the case was another example of the good team work which can exist between the public and police.
Credit must go to the police constables who quickly identified the man and were first on the scene, he said.
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