Op Persil washes up Waikato drug and dishonesty offenders

Waikato Police say an operation focused on turning up the agitation cycle on recidivist offenders is having a good effect on dishonesty, violence and drug offenders.

Senior Sergeant Steve Ambler of the Hamilton Police said teams of officers went to four addresses in Hamilton, Waitetuna and Huntly yesterday as part of the latest phase of Operation Persil.

"The relationship between burglaries, drugs and illegal firearms was really apparent during the search of a Waitetuna Valley property this morning.

"Amongst items recovered were two stolen motor-cross bikes, three .22cal rifles and a shotgun, a quantity of modified ammunition, cannabis and methamphetamine pipes, a quantity of cannabis plant material, 50gms of cannabis, growing materials, covers and seeds and the boot, bonnet and four doors from a stolen Subaru car."

Mr Ambler said a 33-year-old man from the property was arrested and will face four unlawful possession of a firearm charges and one charge of unlawful possession of explosives.

"Other charges include possession of cannabis for supply, possession of cannabis seeds, possession of methamphetamine utensils, possession of equipment for cultivation of cannabis and receiving stolen goods charges."

Meanwhile another Police team went to a Webb St Huntly address where 64 cannabis cigarettes wrapped in tinfoil were recovered.

"A 56-year-old man was arrested in relation to this matter and has been bailed to appear in the Huntly District Court next week.

"While this was going other officers had an interesting interaction with a 19-year-old man who claimed he was the only one home at a Harris St address. The problem with this was officers noticed the bathroom door was locked and it turned out an 18-year-old man had barricaded himself in there."

Mr Ambler said this man was talked out by Police and he was subsequently arrested in relation to the 10 May aggravated robbery of a Huntly store.

"Operation Persil has been running for quite some time and offenders should take note that with a whole of policing approach operations of this kind will be becoming more frequent.

"So if you are subject to court imposed sanctions, have unpaid fines, breaching bail or involved in any type of offending you can expect to encounter our staff at any place at any time."

End

© Scoop Media