Eight people are due to appear in court following a series of police operations focused on organised crime and drug dealing in Dunedin and Queenstown recently.

The Southern District Police Organised Crime Unit executed a series of search warrants at Dunedin and Queenstown properties, resulting in the seizure of significant quantities of drugs, including MDMA, cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamine and LSD, along with more than $50,000 cash and illegal firearms.

“These arrests and seizures are the result of ongoing investigations across the district,” Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh said.

“The six separate warrants focused on significant drug dealing activity which has contributed to harm within the community.

“The arrests should serve as a warning to organised crime groups or anyone involved in the possession of drugs to supply.

“The Organised Crime Unit are dedicated to disrupting this illegal activity which causes significant social harm, and holding those involved to account.”

The eight people arrested are aged between 25 and 35 and face a raft of charges related to the supply of drugs and firearms-related offences.

They are due to appear in the Dunedin and Queenstown District Courts in due course.

In Central Otago, a woman was also arrested and drugs, ammunition and firearms seized when police served three search warrants in Alexandra and Cromwell in late June.