Pubdate: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 Source: Dominion Post, The (New Zealand) Copyright: 2006 The Dominion Post Contact: http://www.dompost.co.nz Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2550 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) TWENTY ARRESTED IN DRUGS STING Twenty people have been arrested and cannabis plants and methamphetamine seized in drug raids in Hawke's Bay. Yesterday's sting - the result of 10 months of detective and undercover work - has been hailed as a blow to organised crime in the region. From dawn more than 60 police executed search warrants on 18 addresses in Hastings, Napier, Waipukurau and Wairoa, believed to be involved in a drug ring. Detective Inspector Sam Aberehama said police found two hydroponic growing operations and seized methamphetamine, ecstacy, three kilograms of cannabis, money and a sawn-off shotgun. He expected there would be further arrests as part of Operation Oyster, the 10-month police operation focusing on organised crime in the district. "We have targeted a group that is all part of a network that we believe we have cracked. "We would have to have made a dent in drug distribution in the district given the number of people involved." He said some of those arrested had gang affiliations. An undercover agent had been one of the tools used to infiltrated the ring. District Commander Superintendent Grant Nicholls said the operation was particularly successful and followed one in Wairoa last month in which 17 alleged gang members were arrested. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin