Over 15 kilos of cannabis and a "substantial amount" of cash have been seized in a set of gang-related Hawke's Bay raids this morning, police say.
The cannabis located had a street value of approximately $300,000 and a large amount was "disturbingly" found inside a baby's cot in a child's bedroom, authorities allege.
Detective Senior Sergeant John McCarthy said search warrants were served in Napier and Hastings as part of an investigation into dealing with "links to the local Mongrel Mob".
"The search warrants were undertaken following an investigation by Eastern District’s organised crime group into large-scale cannabis dealing in Hawke’s Bay, with links to the local Mongrel Mob," he alleged in a media release.
"Disturbingly, a large amount of the cannabis was located in a baby’s cot in a child’s bedroom.
"The cannabis located has a street value of approximately $300,000.
"Three people – two men aged 28 and 30 and a 24-year-old woman – have been arrested and charged with possession of cannabis for supply.
"They will appear in Hastings District Court on January 3, 2024.
"A 24-year-old man has been charged with possession of MDMA for supply.
"He will appear in Napier District Court on January 9, 2024.
McCarthy said the arrests were the result of a significant amount of work by the officers working in Eastern District’s Organised Crime Group, "who are absolutely focused on targeting and combating the distribution of illicit drugs in our communities by gangs".
He encouraged anyone with information about illegal drug activity in their community to contact police.
SHARE ME