Police have seized methamphetamine with a street value of $20,000, one handgun, $42,000 in cash, and four vehicles following search warrants carried out in Dunedin and Invercargill.

Southern District Organised Crime teams raided the properties yesterday.

The search warrants follow the arrest of four people in Waihola on June 14, after the occupants of an alleged stolen vehicle left a crash scene. 

They were later located with the assistance of the Armed Offenders Squad.

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Two further arrests were made on yesterday, June 15, as a result of the search warrants executed.

Four men aged 25, 29, 32 and 34, have been charged with numerous offences including selling methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawfully taking of a motor vehicle and a variety of driving offences.

They appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.

One 25-year-old woman will appear in the Dunedin District Court today charged with supply of methamphetamine.

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And a 47-year-old woman was also charged with being party to the selling of methamphetamine in Invercargill and will appear in the Invercargill District Court on July 13.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Hanna says: "Police believe that members of this group have strong links to several gangs both in the Southern region and Christchurch.

"As the operation is ongoing police are unable to provide any further information at this stage.

"Methamphetamine continues to cause extreme harm in the community and police will continue to focus and target those selling and pushing this harm in order to hold those offenders accountable.

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"Stopping its distribution will reduce harm not only to those that have already been exposed to the harmful effects of this destructive drug, but those who may never have been exposed to it before.

"We want to send a clear message that such criminal activity won't be tolerated. 

"Police are committed to stamping out the distribution of methamphetamine and the detrimental impact it has on all communities."