Childcare centre drug dash ends in cuffs

An alleged synthetic cannabis seller was caught in Hamilton East with a fistful of cash after throwing "bags of product" into a nearby childcare centre playground, police say.

And potential buyers were still keen to get their fix as their dealers were being arrested, in a scene Hamilton police compared to a B-grade movie.

Police seized items including more than $6000 in cash, weapons and pre-packaged product.

As a result, two people will appear in court on charges relating to sale and supply, and three more face possession charges.

Police went to a Myrtle St property late yesterday afternoon looking for people thought to be involved in the illegal sale of synthetic cannabis products, Detective Sergeant Will Loughrin of the Hamilton CIB said.

"When we entered the home we found six people sitting around a table with a large amount of synthetic cannabis products and cash."

One of the men fled as officers entered.

"He threw several small bags of product over the fence as he fled, into a neighbouring child care centre's playground. One our officers chased the offender and tackled him to the ground, still clutching a fistful of dollars as he struggled."

But even the obvious police presence didn't deter potential customers.

"We could scarcely believe what we were seeing as potential customers continued to come up the drive, weave past our cars and other officers in the pursuit of purchasing their next fix," Loughrin said.

"One woman that we issued a warning to had $1200 on her person that she intended purchasing synthetic cannabis products with."

In the operation, police seized twenty-two 1.2g bags of pre-packaged product and two larger bags they say were intended to be broken down.

They also seized more than $6000 in cash, scales, tick lists and weapons.

"A number of local residents commented they were pleased by our presence as now their kids could play outside safely and not be exposed to the undesirable behaviour of people frequenting the property," Loughrin said.

As a result of the operation, a 37-year-old man will appear in the Hamilton District Court today on charges of selling, offering to sell and possession to supply synthetic cannabis.

A 39-year-old year-old man faces charges of selling synthetic cannabis and possession for sale charges.

Three more people will face possession charges in court next week and three people received warnings.

Police urged anyone worried about suspicious behaviour to ring 111 or leave information anonymously with the independent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.