Seven facing drug charges after raid on Avondale homes

Bags of synthetic cannabis uncovered during a police sting on Avondale properties. Photo / Supplied

Bags of synthetic cannabis were found stashed in a roof of a house when police raided five west Auckland homes this morning.

Seven people are facing court action after five properties near Avondale College were searched early today.

The pre-planned operation related to the sale and distribution of synthetic cannabis.

At one point, police said the armed offenders squad was called in as a precaution.

Synthetic cannabis, cannabis, cash, a shotgun and ammunition were all seized during the raids on the Avondale homes in a neighbourhood filled with young families and children.

At one home bags of the illicit drug were found in the roof cavity.

Avondale Police Area Commander Inspector Jacqui Whittaker said four search warrants had been carried out at residential addresses in Bellgrove Place, Sceptre Place and Victor St, just before 6:30am.

"AOS were used as a precautionary measure at one location and have now been stood down.

"This morning's operation is the result of a long-running investigation into the sale and distribution of synthetic cannabis," Whittaker said.

Another property was also searched last Thursday as part of the investigation and two people had been charged.

Bellgrove Place remained cordoned off as the search continued.

Five men and two women now faced a raft of charges relating to the raids including possession and supply of drugs, including methamphetamine, as well as a firearms offence.

A 37-year-old woman is also facing a charge of allowing her home to be used for drug offences.

Those charged ranged in age from 44 to 18 years.

Whittaker said the suburb was a family community and shouldn't have to put up with this behaviour.

"Our investigations into alleged drug dealing from this area have been ongoing for some time. This is a good community and they should not have to tolerate this type of behaviour," she said.

"This is an area with lots of young families and children. We are committed to ensuring that everyone in this area is safe and feels safe and that the kids living here have a happy and positive neighbourhood."

She thanked residents for their patience and hoped the arrests would send a clear message that there was no place for this type of activity in the community.