Three Oamaru males, all allegedly armed with knives, and one female were arrested and charged with multiple offences on Monday after they were discovered by police smoking cannabis.
The incident unfolded about 3.30pm after police had dealt with an unrelated matter at the intersection of Conway St and State Highway 1 in north Oamaru.
Officers allegedly smelled cannabis coming from a nearby property and on entry were confronted by several people - some of whom were intoxicated - who police say then became aggressive towards officers.
After a brief scuffle and being spoken to by police, a 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour, resisting police, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of utensils for smoking cannabis.
A 16-year-old male was charged with disorderly behaviour and possession of an offensive weapon.
Both have been referred to police youth aid.
The third male arrested, a 21-year-old, was charged with obstructing police and possession of a weapon in a public place.
A 23-year-old female was charged with assaulting a police officer.
Both will appear in the Oamaru District Court on November 21.
Sergeant Tony Woodbridge, of Oamaru, said the incident was of particular concern to police as the weapons, all collapsible knives, were able to be easily concealed.
''It's not a pocket knife or anything like that.
''The three males all had knives on them. The way they were behaving while in possession of those weapons is a little bit annoying to say the least.''
