Dawn raids on 30 Chch homes

Press, 24 July 1987, Page 1

Dawn raids on 30 Chch homes

By

NEIL CLARKSON

More than 30 Christchurch houses were searched in dawn raids yesterday, ending an undercover operation in the city. By last evening 27 of the 30 people sought by the police had been arrested, mainly on drug, burglary and receiving charges. Most are expected to appear in the District Court this morning. Detective Senior-Sergeant Arthur Rodgers said some would face charges of selling cannabis and . LSD tablets. The arrests came after the undercover activities of two constables working together in Christchurch in recent months.

The pair was withdrawn from the operation on Wednesday evening. About 120 Christchurch police met at the Central station at 5.30 a.m. yesterday, and 90 minutes

later the first of the house raids began. Senior-Sergeant Rodgers said the police left the station with 27 warrants. A further four houses in other centres were also searched.-

“A further, six warrants were issued as a result of the efforts. They were executed as well,” he said. About 80 charges have been laid against those arrested. “Large amounts” of drugs and stolen property have been seized. Senior-Sergeant Rodgers said the undercover policemen were deployed in various local sports clubs, hotels and business premises. , . J Those arrested were involved in “a loose association of people who have been dealing in drugs and stolen property.”

Court report, page 7