A man was arrested for allegedly supplying synthetic cannabis in Napier yesterday after police executed two search warrants.
Part of Latham St was in lockdown while police searched a property and the armed offenders squad also marked the street.
Detective Sergeant Craig Vining said police would continue to target the sellers of these products as their client base were often disaffected and vulnerable.
"These substances are extremely dangerous and users can experience severe health issues."
In Auckland there have now been 10 deaths linked to synthetic cannabis, which are understood to be dried herbs laced with rat poison, horse tranquiliser and kitchen spray cleaner.
Mr Vining said that as well as being dangerous to people's health, they knew these products drove users to commit crimes to fund their habits, which caused further harm to the community.
"I would hope that today's warrants and arrest will have other dealers looking over their shoulders because we know there are more out there looking to profit from these users' misery."
One neighbour described the scene as "hectic" yesterday with about nine police cars and three members of the armed offenders squad surrounding the property.
The woman was leaving her home on Latham St to get groceries when she realised the road had been cordoned off at Rutherford St and Douglas McLean Ave.