20 arrests in police raids

FILE

Twenty people were arrested overnight in the Bay of Plenty as suspects linked to drug dealing.

The arrests coincided with police terminating an operation aimed at addressing community concerns around drugs and property crime.

Operation Mantis began over a month ago and resulted last night in search warrants being executed at 10 addresses in Tauranga and Te Puke suspected of being linked to drug dealing.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said 20 people, both men and women, were arrested for serious offences relating to the dealing, supply and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.

The ages of those arrested range from 18 to 46.

A total of 60grams of methamphetamine, 25 ounces of cannabis, $5000 in cash and numerous items of stolen property have been recovered.

Some of those arrested will appear in the Tauranga District Court this morning; and others over the coming days.

Police would like to thank members of the public for information that led to this operation and encourage anyone in the community with information concerning drugs or any other crime to contact police.