24 Sep 2020

No arrests after police raid houses in Southland

4:30 pm on 24 September 2020

Police in Southland are reassuring the community after they executed several search warrants around Gore and Mataura this morning.

Officers supported by detectives and members of the armed offenders squads from Invercargill and Dunedin raided four properties in the townships at 7am.

Senior Sergeant Cynthia Fairley, area response manager for Eastern Southland, said the searches were pre-planned and related to ongoing investigations into the whereabouts of people wanted by police.

The persons of interest were not located and no-one was arrested.

"Police would like to reassure the Gore and Mataura townships that police are proactive in the area and have increased patrolling," Fairley said.

"Police are committed to investigating drug offending, and holding those responsible for supplying and dealing drugs to account."

She called on anyone with information about drug offending or other criminal activity in the area to contact police on 105, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Anyone affected by drug addiction was urged to seek help through the Alcohol and Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797, or free text 8681.