17 Feb 2014

25 arrested in drugs bust

4:14 pm on 17 February 2014

Police says 25 people from Hawke's Bay and Gisborne have been arrested and charged with numerous offences following a major drug operation throughout the Eastern District.

The charges include supplying methamphetamine and cannabis, unlawful possession of firearms, theft, theft of electricity and cultivating cannabis.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Foster says more than 40 police searched 30 properties throughout the region last week and on Monday.

Mr Foster says more than 1000 cannabis plants were seized along with methamphetamine, large amounts of dried cannabis ready for sale, four firearms, a stolen vehicle and $65,000 in cash.

A methamphetamine lab was also discovered in Gisborne.

Mr Foster says many of the arrests were a result of information provided by the public.