Police in Hutt Valley crack down on organised crime and illegal drug activity

Police in the Hutt Valley are cracking down on organised crime and illegal drug activity and are warning criminals to watch out.

Upper Hutt Area Commander and Relieving Lower Hutt Area Commander Inspector Mike Hill says in recent times, Police have become aware of a few groups of organised criminals actively offending in the Hutt Valley.

"We are sending a very clear message to those people that Police and communities across the Hutt Valley take a zero tolerance to this type of anti-social behaviour and they will be caught."

Inspector Hill says it's widely known that there is a very strong correlation between drug activity and organised crime.

"Usually offenders steal property and cash and commit other offences to fuel drug habits and this type of behaviour is unwelcome in the Hutt Valley, hence our focus to stamp it out."

Inspector Hill says while crime statistics are dropping overall for both the Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt Areas, there are a few criminal groups locally which have become very very active in recent times.

Yesterday Police executed search warrants across the Hutt Valley, arresting three men. Two of these men face drug dealing charges and the other has been charged with receiving stolen property. Further enquiries are underway into other offending detected at the addresses.

"I'm confident Police can significantly disrupt these criminal groups in the coming weeks and months. Those involved in illegal activity across the Valley should also start thinking about either quitting smoking or quitting crime, given the smoking ban in all prisons comes into force on 1 July 2011."

Anyone with any information on organised crime and illegal drug activity can phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or phone Upper Hutt Police on (04) 527 2300.

ENDS

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