Twelve in court over central Auckland drug bust

Auckland City Police made several arrests after a series of search warrants were executed aimed at stopping drug dealing within central Auckland. Photo / Supplied via police

A dozen people arrested over yesterday's drug bust in central Auckland are appearing in court today charged with drug offences.

Sixteen people were arrested after police executed 10 search warrants around the city yesterday.

Court documents were filed for 12 of those accused - five women and seven men - in Auckland District Court this morning.

The defendants, between the ages of 25 and 54, face a range of charges, mostly including supply of cannabis or possession for supply.

However, three have been charged with selling methamphetamine - a crime with a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.

The police operation centred around the CBD on Hobson St after complaints of illegal activity around St-Matthew-in-the-City Church, Auckland City Mission and the Imperial Gardens Apartments.

According to court documents, two of those arrested live in the block of flats - about 15 per cent of which are Housing New Zealand-owned - and three are homeless.

Many of the others caught in the sting have central-city addresses and one woman was listed as living in Christchurch.