Police executed several search warrants across Wairarapa yesterday, resulting in one arrest and the seizure of drugs, weapons, and a vehicle.
Residents were warned to expect armed police staff across the region as “a number of pre-planned search warrants are executed”, and there were multiple reports throughout the day of armed police units converging on various addresses in Masterton and Featherston.
A 28-year-old man is due to appear in Masterton District Court today on drugs and firearms charges.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Sears led the operation and said that “targeting gangs in the area is part of police’s commitment to disrupting the supply of illegal drugs by organised crime groups”.
Sears confirmed that no particular group was singled out and that the operation had identified a number of targets.
The warrants executed resulted in the seizure of cannabis, a motor vehicle, and various weapons, including a taser and imitation firearms.
“We make no apology for targeting people peddling their drugs,” Sears said.
“In the summer, Wairarapa can expect to see the presence of police who are there to ensure that organised criminal groups can’t peddle their drugs to the vulnerable and we will work tirelessly to execute warrants such as these.”
Sears said that police are happy with their progress.
“We’re not going to rest, though. We will continue to investigate and execute more warrants if information comes to hand.”
If anyone has any information, they can
call the police on 105
or Crimestoppers
on 0800 555 111.
