DRUG PEDDLERS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES

A pregnant woman who set up drug deals from a hospital maternity ward
has been charged by police as part of a week-long blitz on drug houses
in the Waikato.

Police raided 17 properties in the crackdown on drug-dealing houses
and the organised crime groups who run them.

Children were found at some of the houses raided by police and three
referrals have been made to Child, Youth and Family.

Police made 12 arrests during the raids, including the pregnant woman
whom they allege had been making drug deals while in hospital for
ante-natal treatment.

She was charged with possession for supply and supplying
methamphetamine.

Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall said police were disturbed to
find children in the drug houses.

"This week's operation is another example of the insidious and
pervasive nature of methamphetamine and how it impacts on members of
the community," he said.

Further arrests were likely.

"We are continuing to crack down on drug-dealing houses and the
criminals who run them as part of our sustained programme of
enforcement to combat drugs and disrupt organised crime groups," Mr
Keall said.

"Drug-dealing houses are hubs for criminal offending and the people
who run them are dealing in drugs, particularly cannabis, but also
often methamphetamine.

"They are also invariably receiving stolen property, taking payments
for drugs and are involved with organised crime groups."

Other arrests included a man, 37, arrested at a Nawton address on
Thursday after a methamphetamine lab was found in a vehicle at
Karapiro that day. The man was charged with manufacturing
methamphetamine and police are looking for a second man.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crimestoppers 0800
555111. Callers can remain anonymous.