POLICE HIT OUT-OF-TOWN DRUG BUYERS

Police have vowed to keep keep working until they wipe Otara off the
tinny house map.

Operation Buyer Beware was launched last month to target cannabis
buyers.

Police have arrested and charged more than 60 people since the
operation started. They have also raided two tinny houses and arrested
dealers.

Eastern area police area commander inspector Jim Searle wants to
eliminate the image of Otara as a "tinny house" destination and
replace it with one of a place where people will be arrested and
charged if they try to buy cannabis or methamphetamine.

The people arrested face cannabis-related charges. The youngest is a
16-year-old and the oldest is 48.

A small number are from Otara and a handful from other parts of south
Auckland but most come from the rest of Auckland, Mr Searle says.

Among them are a fire technician, an apprentice builder, five
unemployed people, a butcher and a mechanic. Some turn up in company
vehicles to buy their drugs.

Meanwhile, the operation is receiving praise from community
leaders.

Otara Youth Action Group chairman Len Brown says the police efforts
"are hugely appreciated by the community".

He says the action comes on the back of calls for zero tolerance to
tinny houses and P labs after the Stand Up conference in Otara on March 8.

Mr Brown, the conference convener, says the main focus for leaders was
to encourage everyone in the community to take a stand against drugs
and tinny houses.

"One of the ways identified for people to make a stand was for them to
pass on information to the police about who is buying and selling
drugs in our streets and homes.

"For the community the big issue was one of trust - trust in the
police that once information was passed on they would act on it," Mr
Brown says.

"These arrests are a clear message to those doing the dealing that
their operations are going to be closed down.

"It is also a clear message to our people that their trust in the
police will be honoured by rapid and effective action."

The arrests are "a great start", Mr Brown says.

"It is now essential to follow through and close down the tinny houses
where these people were buying."

Police are getting legal advice on whether they can alert employers
that their staff are turning up in company vehicles to buy their
drugs. They are also looking at the legalities of advising the
registered owner of cars about where vehicles have been.