Three arrests and assets seized

After executing five search warrants this morning, the Auckland City District Organised Crime Unit arrested three people, discovered two large-scale marijuana growing operations, seized 11 vehicles and up to $100,000 in cash.

Investigations into the activities of the three arrested - two men and a woman - had been carried out since May this year and today's activities are the first phase in the culmination of the investigations. The seized vehicles and cash are subject to proceeds of crime action by the Asset Recovery Unit.

The warrants were executed in Station Rd, Penrose, Watene Rd, Mt Wellington, Marken Place, Glenfield, Diana Drive Glenfield and Oaktree Ave, Brown's Bay. The growing operations were discovered at the Station Rd and Marken Place addresses.

Those arrested - a 42 year-old man, a 26 year-old man and a 57 year-old woman - will appear in the Auckland District Court on drug-related charges later today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark McHattie says Operation Raptor is one of several ongoing initiatives by the District's Organised Crime Unit designed to take marijuana growers out of the illicit drug market.