Lower Hutt Police operation targeting organised crime, with focus on methamphetamine, nets 13 people, Class B and C drugs and a firearm

A two day Lower Hutt Police operation targeting organised crime, with an emphasis on methamphetamine, gangs and firearms, has resulted in 13 people facing charges.

Officer in charge of Lower Hutt CIB, Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Borrell says a total of 15 search warrants have been executed, with people facing charges including aggravated burglary, possession and cultivation of a Class C and possession of Class B controlled drugs. These include what Police believe to be methamphetamine, cannabis, cannabis oil and ecstasy, along with a numerous cannabis plants.

"We have executed early morning search warrants in and around Lower Hutt, with the assistance of the Armed Offenders Squad, where Police had reason to believe that firearms may have been present at the addresses."

"This operation has targeted organised crime within our community. Police located several drugs and a variety of utensils for drug use and cultivation. We also located a firearm, which is of concern to us."

Paul Borrell says, "We have gained additional intelligence from this operation which we intend to use to carry out similar initiatives in the near future."

"Methamphetamine is extremely addictive and destructive and has serious social, economic and environmental consequences, which is why Police are actively targeting offenders nationally to stamp it out in our communities."

Some of those arrested have already appeared in Lower Hutt District Court over the past two days with further Court appearances to follow.