A 34-year-old local man has been charged with possessing methamphetamine for supply and obstructing police.
He is due to appear in the Waihī District Court on March 23.
Police say further charges are likely.
In Paeroa, police found a suspected clandestine meth laboratory, and the specialist clan lab team attended to process the scene.
A 44-year-old man was arrested and remanded in custody on charges of possession of equipment and material intended for manufacturing methamphetamine.
He is remanded in custody to appear in the Hamilton District Court on January 9.
“It is expected that further analysis of the items seized during the search of the property will provide evidence of methamphetamine manufacturing at the address,” a police statement said.
During a search warrant in Coromandel’s Kennedy Bay, a man was charged with possession of cannabis for supply, cultivating cannabis and unlawful possession of a firearm.
He is due to appear in the Thames District Court on January 13.
A series of search warrants were also executed at storage units and a residential property in Te Aroha.
They will form part of ongoing investigations into the supply of meth in the town and surrounding area, police said.
The area commander for eastern Waikato, Inspector Hywel Jones, says the operation aims to disrupt local drug networks, hold dealers and suppliers accountable and reassure the community that police are listening and will act.
“People see the harm that these drugs are causing in their whānau and communities,” Jones said.
“We hope this news of our operation will let people know what’s happening, and prompt them to tell us about any suspicious activity.”
Anyone seeing suspicious behaviour is encouraged to report it to police on 111. Information can also be reported via 105, online or over the phone.
