Arrests as Police shut down drug dealing in CBD

Auckland City Police have arrested 14 people after a series of search warrants were executed this morning aimed at stopping drug dealing within an area of the CBD.

Up to 80 police executed the warrants on 10 addresses in the city centre as well as at properties in Te Atatu, Ranui and Manurewa.

14 people were detained - seven women and seven men ranging in age between 25 and 54.

A quantity of cannabis was also seized during the operation and enquiries are on-going.

Many of those arrested will appear in the Auckland District Court today charged with a range of drug-related offences.

Relieving Field Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Hayden Mander said the arrests were the culmination of a seven week investigation by the Auckland Police Organised Crime Unit.

“The team had been targeting an area around Hobson, Wellesley and Federal Streets over the last seven weeks following concerns raised by members of the public, local businesses and institutions.

"What they uncovered was alleged drug dealing on a wide scale, often aimed at vulnerable members of the community and conducted in clear view of the public.

“Police used a number of tactics to investigate the alleged offences, including the use of CCTV footage and plain clothed officers."

Detective Inspector Mander added that Police are now working with a number of the key institutions in this area of the city to try to prevent the alleged offending from resurfacing.

”The alleged drug dealing took place in and around a number of premises on Hobson and Wellesley Streets and Police will be working with the owners of those premises to ensure that medium and long term prevention strategies are put in place."

ENDS

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