Whangarei Drug Op

Northland District Police
Walton Plaza, Whangärei
Friday August 19, 2011

A teenage boy was among several people dealt with for drug dealing during a police crack down on drug dealing houses this week.

The 15-year-old boy has been referred to Whangärei Police Youth Services and Child, Youth and Family. Police intend to charge him with selling cannabis.

His 49-year-old mother and her 39-year-old partner were arrested and are also facing similar charges.

The offending took place at the family's Morningside home.

Police have also referred two young children, aged one and two years, to Child, Youth and Family after Police searched a house at Hikurangi.
During the search Police located a dismantled sawn-off shotgun, some ammunition and a small amount of cannabis.

The children's mother was at the address and Police believe she was under the influence of drugs.

Police are still making inquiries in regard to this case and the woman is yet to be charged.

More than 20 staff conducted 17 search warrants at Whangärei addresses as part of the covert drug operation.

The search warrants resulted in 20 arrests with many of those arrested facing serious drug charges.

One of the offenders was already facing charges, from a previous offence, for dealing methamphetamine.

Items seized included: 37 tinnies; five $50 cannabis deal bags; 258 grams of cannabis leaf; 6.5 grams of methamphetamine; $6380 cash; one sawn-off shotgun and some stolen property.

Senior Sergeant Rob Huys says it is disturbing that drug dealing is still prevalent in our communities and police will not be "letting up" on these dealers.

"It is particularly concerning when we find children living in homes where they are exposed to drugs and other criminal activity and there are unsecured firearms lying around."

Mr Huys says children that are found in drug dealing houses are referred to Child, Youth and Family.

Mr Huys would like to thank members of the public who contacted their local police or made anonymous calls to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information on the dealers.

"This information is very useful and helps us to carry out further enquiries and then take affirmative action to stop the supply and manufacture of illicit drugs."

"Receiving information from the public also confirms that most people are not accepting of this type of offending and we will continue to make concerted efforts in the fight to reduce the harm illicit drugs have on our communities."

ENDS

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