Armed raid nets drugs and cash | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Armed police converged on Fenton Park during a dawn raid which led to methamphetamine and a large amount of cash being found.

Residents of Jameson Ave were woken early yesterday morning by the sound of "explosions" and the sight of armed police.

Rotorua police Senior Sergeant Brent Crowe said a warrant to search a property on Jameson Ave was carried out by police about 6.50am.

"As a result a significant amount of money and a quantity of methamphetamine were seized."

A witness, who did not want to be named, said she was woken by the sound of "two huge booms and police yelling out 'this is an armed search, we have a warrant.'

"It was my alarm clock," she said.

The woman said there was always a police presence in the street.

"That's because there are gang members and P all over the place," she told The Daily Post.

"I'm moving out on Friday - I've had enough, it's too
dangerous," she said.

Mr Crowe said one man was arrested after yesterday's raid and had been charged with possession of methamphetamine. Further charges could be laid.

The man was due to appear in court today.

Asked if the explosion sounds were stun grenades - often described as sounding like gunfire or explosions and used by police to stun their targets as they approach - Mr Crowe said he could not comment on "operational tactics".

He also would not say if the road had been closed off while police were there.

Meanwhile, in another drug bust in the Bay of Plenty, equipment and chemicals used to make methamphetamine were found in a park in Tauranga yesterday afternoon.

Tauranga police said they were able to locate two plastic containers of equipment and chemicals in the Chadwick St reserve in Gate Pa.

Detective Senior Sergeant Liam Clinton said a member of the public helped police recover the items.

"Thanks to  ... this member of the public, a possible [clandestine] lab will be out of action," he said.