Welcome Bay property searched in police raid

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Six arrests have been made in the Western Bay of Plenty, with searches being conducted across the Bay of Plenty.

Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton said the searches were in relation to commercial burglaries, targeting cigarettes and other items, as well as drug related offending.

"This morning ten search warrants were executed in the Bay of Plenty. 10 in Rotorua, and two in the Western Bay of Plenty. The searches in the Western Bay of Plenty were at Kaitemako Rd, Welcome Bay and the other was in Merivale," he said.

Two women and four men were due to appear in Tauranga District Court today.

A reporter at the scene said there were at least 12 police involved in the search at Welcome Bay.

There were four police cars and at least six unmarked police vehicles on a rural property on Kaitemako Rd.

The reporter said police were also searching outbuildings and vegetation, such as the underneath of planter tubs.

Mr Paxton said inquiries were continuing.

9.05am: Reports are coming in of a heavy police presence in Welcome Bay this morning.

Western Bay of Plenty police tactical response manager Inspector Karl Wright St-Clair confirmed police were in the process of holding a search warrant at a Welcome Bay address.

It is understood another address in Matapihi is also being searched.

Several police vehicles could be seen travelling up Kaitemako Rd about 7.30am today.