Multiple search warrants across Wānaka, Queenstown, Cromwell, and Alexandra have resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of drugs and the arrest of nine people.

A total of 170 grams of cocaine, 40 grams of MDMA, and MDMA pills, worth approximately $88,000, have been seized.

“We continue to observe higher recreational drug use throughout the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts, consistent with the larger concentration of controlled substances such as MDMA, and cocaine detected in Southern Police District's wastewater,” Otago Lakes Organised Crime Detective Sergeant Regan Boucher said.

Wānaka Senior Sergeant Chris Brooks told the Wānaka App that Queenstown’s wastewater testing “mirrors Wānaka”.

Regan said nine people are appearing before the courts over the coming weeks for a variety of drug dealing charges, some of which include possession for supply of MDMA, ketamine, cocaine, and cannabis.

“These types of drugs cross all social sectors of our community, including people of all ages, visitors to the area and residents,” he said, warning potential users to think twice as they may not know what they are purchasing.

“MDMA, cocaine or non-prescribed ketamine, can be misrepresented and purchasers may not know what they are buying.

“We urge everyone to be aware of what they’re putting into their systems and the dosages.”

If you have any information relating to controlled drugs, feel unsafe or have concerns about dangerous, illegal or suspicious behaviour, call Police on 111, for non-urgent concerns you can call 105 or click here and report the incident.

For anonymous reporting the public can contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.