Acting Detective Sergeant Tony Woodbridge said police had been looking for a man with outstanding warrants, and officers were deployed to Tern St from about 9am to midday yesterday.
The armed offenders squad had been involved to ensure the safety of all parties and several houses were evacuated.
While police did not locate the man, they did find some cannabis, which was potentially being grown at a Tern St address, and the occupants were being spoken to regarding it, Det Sgt Woodbridge said.
"It is a common thing when police do search warrants looking for people, that we come across other crimes, such as people growing cannabis or possession of utensils for the use of illicit drugs,’’ he said.
There did not appear to be a supply-level quantity and no charges had yet been laid.
Police were extremely grateful to members of the public, both for their patience and for alerting officers to suspicious behaviours, Det Sgt Woodbridge said.
About eight officers, including members of the armed offenders squad, a dog team and an officer wearing a forensics suit, could be seen in Tern St along with local officers yesterday.
Another officer from the armed offenders squad was stationed near a police car in Milner Park, close to Waitaki Boys’ High School. — additional reporting Jules Chin
