A "routine" police visit in Napier last night escalated after a firearm was spotted through a window — and ended with the seizure of 5.5kg of methamphetamine.
It began when two officers and a dog team visited a house in Onekawa at about 6.45pm. They were looking for a wanted 19-year-old man, who had a warrant for his arrest.
"They were at the property to undertake a fairly routine policing task," Detective Inspector Martin James said.
"But they were also focused on the bigger picture."
As they neared the property, the officers spotted a firearm through a window.
Police then obtained a search warrant for the property and went in.
They found a .22 calibre replica AK47, a .22 calibre pistol, 5.5kg of methamphetamine, ammunition and cash.
Two men were arrested and charged with "a number" of drug and firearm offences.
The men, aged 19 and 34, are both patched gang members. They were set to appear in Hastings District Court today.
"This was exceptional work by the officers involved," James said.
"Their actions upon observing the firearm through the window has resulted in a big win for community safety in Hawke's Bay.
"We've removed two firearms from the streets, and the amount of methamphetamine found at this address is significant — it is equivalent to an estimated 275,000 doses.
"If this had been sold to users within our community, it would have caused untold harm."
Police said the methamphetamine would have had a street value of about $2.2 million.
"That's $2.2 million that will not be going into the pockets of gang members to further their criminal activities and victimisation of vulnerable people in our towns," James said.
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