Five people have been arrested and will appear in Christchurch District Court today after an early morning armed police drugs swoop on a number of properties in the South Island.
Around 160 police executed search warrants at 6am throughout Christchurch in relation to an investigation into the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine.
Detective Inspector Greg Williams of Christchurch police said because of the dangerous nature of clandestine labs a number of the busts were done with the help of armed officers.
Properties in Ashburton and Rangiora were also searched.
So far three clandestine labs had been found as well as cash, a firearm and chemicals used to make methamphetamine, Mr Williams said.
Searches were continuing and further arrests were expected, Mr Williams said.
