Six people have appeared in court for their alleged involvement in a methamphetamine ring, including a 69-year-old female Justice of the Peace.

A Justice of the Peace is among a group of people facing life imprisonment, after they were arrested for alleged involvement in a methamphetamine supply ring run by a prison inmate.

The JP, 69-year-old Marlene Dorothy Taylor, was one of six people who appeared in the Palmerston North District Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Her family reacted angrily when a judge ordered her to stay in custody, with one yelling: "She can't go to jail, she's a JP".

She, Debralee Ann Holland, Madie Sarah Treru, Kimberley Sarah Meihana, Zion Cody Kingston Pene and Brian Paul Taylor are all charged with supplying methamphetamine.

The two Taylors and Pene are also charged with conspiring to supply cannabis.

Police arrested the group after finding evidence that an inmate at Manawatu Prison was arranging for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine.According to court documents, Brian Taylor lives at 546 Camp Rd, Linton – the address of Manawatu Prison.

Pene is also charged with possessing a .22 rifle and ammunition, while Holland is charged with possessing 14-gauge shotgun rounds.

Duty lawyer Marina Anderson said she was unable to apply for bail for any of the six, because of the seriousness of the charge.

Supplying methamphetamine has a maximum punishment of life in jail.

Judge Jill Moss kept all six in custody until January so legal aid could assign lawyers.

She gave leave for Marlene Taylor, Holland and Treru to come back to court sooner to apply for bail, after hearing Holland had health problems and Treru had a child she was breastfeeding.

A member of Marlene Taylor's family became angry when hearing she was staying behind bars, yelling at the judge.

Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Harrison said police acted on evidence alleging an inmate at Manawatu Prison was arranging the sale and distribution of methamphetamine.

Police believe this was conducted with associates in the community.

"Methamphetamine is a harmful drug that is damaging our communities.

"This investigation further demonstrates that police [are] committed to disrupting the supply of this drug," Harrison said.

"As well as holding people to account, police will ensure that those who are reliant on methamphetamine are referred to the relevant agencies to ensure they get the support they need to address their use."

He said the arrests should reassure the community preventing methamphetamine supply was a high priority for police.

"Our actions today show that when it comes to investigating the selling of this drug, nowhere and no-one is off limits to the police."