Waikato police say they've found 80 tinnies of cannabis packaged in the same plastic bags used by an organised criminal group to provide sandwiches to school children.
It was seized during a search of a Hamilton property that was among 14 properties searched across the district since Monday December 4 in an operation targeting organised criminal groups and drug dealing.
Thirty people have been arrested and are facing a total of 87 charges including serious drug offences relating to dealing methamphetamine and cannabis, firearms offences, and offences involving stolen property.
They have appeared over the last week in Hamilton District Court.
Detective Sergeant Kristine Clarke, head of the Waikato Organised Crime Team, said the operation established a clear link between gangs and the distribution and sale of methamphetamine and cannabis.
"During these search warrants we visited properties with prominent gang regalia displayed, where police believe drugs were being sold from," she said
Members from various gangs are among those arrested.
During a search of one Hamilton property police seized 80 tinnies of cannabis. The drugs were packaged in the same plastic bags used by the organised criminal group to provide sandwiches to school children.
Also of particular concern was a property located next to a kindergarten where drugs were being dealt, gang regalia was displayed and an illegal shotgun was located, Ms Clarke said.
"Police will allege that in many cases children were living in an environment where methamphetamine and cannabis was being sold openly from their homes," she said.
Police Child Protection Teams are working alongside Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki to ensure the ongoing safety of the children, Ms Clarke said.
Detective Sergeant Neville Ross, head of the Waikato’s Major Crime Team, expressed concern about the three illegal firearms recovered from the alleged drug dealers’ properties.
"No good can come from drug dealers and gang members being in unlawful possession of firearms," he said.
"In many cases we have found they are used for protection and intimidation which puts innocent lives at risk, including children."
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