More than 70 people have been arrested in the Wellington District and significant quantities of drugs seized during a major operation to disrupt criminal activities.

Bagging up some of the seized dried cannabis after a media opportunity watched by DSS Darrin Thomson (centre) are Detectives Mike Fischer and Antony Callon from the Metro Crime Unit. Photo: Kaye Calder

Detective Senior Sergeant Darrin Thomson, OC Metro Crime Squad, said the Operation Viper arrests followed a three-month intelligence gathering phase during which a number of specialist police methods were used.

More than half of those arrested have been charged with serious drug dealing offences involving cannabis, LSD, ecstasy and methamphetamine. Drugs worth more than $1million were seized along with shotguns, a .22 firearm with silencer and a stun gun.

Amongst the cannabis seizures were huge quantities of dried plants, plus 10 bushy cannabis plants growing more than two metres tall and one metre wide in pots – all inside a hydroponics set-up at an Upper Hutt address.

“This was a very sophisticated growing operation,” Darrin says. “It was so high tech that a laptop was used to help control the growing conditions.”

Police also found 650 LSD tabs at the same place.

Darrin says officers were very concerned to find that in several of the places searched, young children were present at drug scenes in environments which were detrimental to their wellbeing.

“While none of the addresses were used for meth manufacturing, meth was being used.

“This and the proximity to cannabis and other drugs is not a healthy environment for vulnerable kids.”

Photo caption: Two metre-tall healthy cannabis plants found growing in a sophisticated hydroponics set up in Upper Hutt. Photo: Constable Shelley Richardson, Wellington forensic photography

Police are working closely with other agencies to ensure the ongoing safety of the children.

He said the amount of cannabis found was not surprising given that over half of the drug-related hospital admissions have a cannabis component.

Police were also concerned by the number of properties searched where power supplies had bypassed electrical switchboards.

“Power is effectively being stolen from the energy companies, all in a bid to avoid payment and suspicion,” Darrin said.

He said the Operation Viper results were outstanding and reflected the commitment from many sectors of policing across the district. “Thank you to everyone who helped.”