Top week for NZ drug seizures - police

Armed police have seized methamphetamine and pre-cursor material with a street value of $800,000 in four raids in south Auckland this week.

Police said 10 people were arrested and guns and drugs were seized during what they called one of the "best weeks on record" in the Counties Manukau police district for drugs seizures.

Detective Inspector Dave Lynch said seizures reflected the sustained pressure police were putting on organised crime networks involving in the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine.

In the first raid in Mill Road, Alfriston, on Tuesday hidden containers holding chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine were found. A man, 41, and a woman, 30, were charged with possessing equipment to make methamphetamine. More charges are likely.

Police said the man and woman owned the property which they shared with three children aged 12, six and four. The children were referred to Child Youth and Family (CYF).

In Manurewa on Wednesday precursor chemicals, utensils and equipment used to make methamphetamine, and 26 grams of Contact NT were found. Police said they were still looking for a man, 38.

Yesterday in Kaiaua on the Firth of Thames the search found 30 grams of methamphetamine with a street value of up to $30,000. Police also found enough precursor substances to make methamphetamine with a street value of $750,000.

This rented property was occupied by a man, 39, and two women aged 30. They were charged with possessing methamphetamine for supply and possessing precursor substances to make methamphetamine.

An 11-year-old child who lived at the house was not there when police arrived but CYF was told.

Today at Maraetai in Manukau police search teams found equipment used to make methamphetamine, other drug paraphernalia cannabis, three rifles, a shotgun and a pistol.

Four men, aged from 18 to 44, were charged with drugs and firearms offences.

Police said as well as the four planned searches they also stopped a vehicle during a routine traffic stop on Wednesday.

The man, 33, who was in the car with two young children gave false information and sped off.

When he was caught police said it took four officers to restrain him and methamphetamine worth $10,000 was found in car.

The man faced several charges and the children were referred to CYF.

Mr Lynch the raids reflected police concerns about young children being exposed to the dangers of illegal labs and drugs.

- NZPA