DRUG BUST CATCHES THOUSAND BUYING DOPE

Two Bay parents and their teenage son are among nine people arrested
for drug offences after police raided a dozen homes and recorded more
than 1000 people trying to buy cannabis.

Tauranga police say further arrests are likely and those who can be
identified buying drugs during the two-week surveillance operation can
expect a visit from them.

Tauranga's CIB head Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner would not
comment on what surveillance methods were used but said at least 1000
people visited an address in Mount Maunganui to buy drugs.

Raids were carried out yesterday on homes across Tauranga including
Greerton and Mount Maunganui.

Some 60 police officers and custom staff were involved.

Mr Turner said a "reasonable" amount of cannabis was found and a P
laboratory _ which was not operating at the time _ was uncovered in
Mount Maunganui.

Neighbours spoke of the shock of seeing police raid the Plateau
Heights house yesterday shortly after 11am.

This morning, the only sign of yesterday's raid on the neat brick
house was a police note stuck beside the front door warning people to
keep out because there may still be hazardous chemicals.

One neighbour said she believed the house was occupied by a man, his
mother and three children, aged five years and under.

"They kept to themselves and we kept to ourselves," she said,
commenting that she did frequently hear a barrage of swear words from
the house.

"It was a bit of a shock. I went down to the letterbox and saw two
chaps there with guns. I didn't even know anything was happening."

The group was believed to have lived at the property for about 18
months and when police swooped yesterday, a witness said he saw the
elderly woman, children and another woman being led away. He did not
see the son being taken away but described him as "tattooed,
skinhead-looking".

Mr Turner said the clandestine methamphetamine laboratory
investigation team went through the suspected P lab last night and
took away a number of items of interest including what they believe is
P residue for testing.

Cannabis-related exhibits have also been taken from addresses and the
Proceeds of Crime Act could be used to seize assets if the accused
were convicted.

Three of those arrested yesterday knocked on the door of one of the
addresses to buy drugs while police were searching.

"That shows how blase and blatant people are about the breaking the
law," Mr Turner said.

Police were concerned about the large number of Tauranga residents
buying cannabis and P.

"The presence of these type of drug operations in residential areas
causes substantial stress and trauma for neighbouring properties and
also attracts other criminal activity and we are committed to stamping
it out.

"Tauranga police will continue to maintain our pressure on `tinny' and
`P' houses within the Western Bay and we encourage anyone with
information about similar premises operating within the district to
alert police."

Mr Turner believes yesterday's raids have had a significant effect on
the drug supply market.

"But unfortunately the reality is that as soon as we shut down one
tinnie house or P-lab, other people set up just as quickly."

The cannabis growing season was approaching and Mr Turner said anyone
who suspects a cannabis operation has been set up in their area or
sees anything suspicious should alert police by phoning 577 4300 or
call 0800 SPEAKUP.