BOP drug operation makes continued inroads in organised crime networks

The Bay of Plenty Police District has completed a major organised crime and cannabis operation across the entire District, including Eastern Bay of Plenty, Western Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Tokoroa and Taupo.

The operation ran for 14 days, and resulted in 115 arrests, the destruction of several thousand cannabis plants, the recovery of a significant amount of stolen property and the discovery and confiscation of varying amounts of methamphetamine.

Ten indoor cannabis cultivation set-ups were located, ranging from basic to large-scale. In one case, three rooms of an entire house were set up for the purpose of cultivating cannabis. There was also approximately 43 kgs of dried cannabis head located during the operation.

The head of the operation, Detective Senior Sergeant Lindsay Pilbrow, says the operation was focused on targeting individuals and groups involved in the distribution and sale of illicit drugs, as well as the receiving and dealing in stolen property and firearms.

"Iillicit drugs are a problem in our community, just as they are in every community across New Zealand.

"The consequences of drugs are harmful, and methamphetamine is particularly harmful. Its impacts are wide-reaching and beyond the individual user and often translate into other areas of crime such as burglary, stolen cars, serious violence and intimidation.

"Our District approach is about targeting organised crime, and strengthening our resources to deal with organised crime. Largely, methamphetamine and cannabis are manufactured and distributed by organised criminals, who simply see it as a way of making money. This operation was very much about targeting these groups."

During the operation, 172 search warrants were executed at addresses across the Bay of Plenty Police District. These resulted in 115 arrests for a variety of charges including Possession of Class A, B and C controlled drugs, as well as Possession for Supply of Class A, B and C controlled drugs.

Armed Offender Squads from Tauranga and Rotorua provided support at 10 of the search warrants executed during the course of the operation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Pilbrow says a number of firearms were also located during the operation, and seven people will face additional charges of Unlawful Possession of Firearms. The firearms seized ranged from pistols, to sawn-off shotguns to full length rifles.

He says Police also recovered a large amount of stolen property, including stolen motor vehicles, trailers and generators, to a value in excess of $60,000.

Detective Sergeant Pilbrow says a key component of the operation was that it was a joint agency approach, with Police working alongside staff from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Fisheries and New Zealand Customs Service.

During the course of the operation, the Ministry of Justice recovered more than $100,000 in outstanding fines.

"This is a community and nation-wide issue, and enforcement is just one part of the picture. Police are targeting many of the same organised criminals as other Government agencies, and we can achieve even greater results when we work together. This operation is testament to that."

Detective Sergeant Pilbrow says the District's organised crime operations will continue throughout the year.

"As much as managing burglaries and road policing are part of day to day policing, targeting organised criminals is also now very much part of business as usual for us. Organised criminal groups can expect further pressure and warrants to continue throughout the year.

"We have a determined focus on organised crime around the supply and distribution of illicit drugs and stolen property. In short, if you are involved in organised crime, you will be targeted and you will be caught.”