Source: New Zealand Police
An operation spanning the past fortnight has seen Northland Police targeting drug supply and violent offending involving gang members.
Sixteen search warrants have been executed in the region, as investigators from Northland and other specialist groups teamed up during the operation to target a multitude of gang members and associates.
Those include an aggravated robbery, the supply of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of firearms, and the theft of vehicles.
“This has been a proactive operation which has resulted in nine people facing charges so far,” Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, from Northland CIB, says.
“Police have also recovered around $100,000 worth of stolen vehicles, including a $40,000 Polaris side-by-side.”
- Nine arrests made:
A 58-year-old Northland Nomads gang member and a 35-year-old gang associate face a joint charge of aggravated robbery of a Toyota Landcruiser in Aratapu on 18 July.
Police have also laid methamphetamine dealing charges against this associate and a 29-year-old Kaikohe woman.
Further search warrants resulted in a 24-year-old Killer Beez gang member from Kaikohe being charged in relation to the supply of methamphetamine and cannabis.
In Kaitaia, a 44-year-old Black Power member has been charged for possession of methamphetamine and resisting Police.
- Arrests made; vehicles recovered:
Meanwhile, numerous arrests have been made over stolen vehicles in the region.
A 27-year-old man from Okaihau, who is linked to the Nomads gang, faces charges in relation to a stolen vehicle and firearms recovered during a search warrant.
Further enquiries also continue in Ngunguru, after a 31-year-old Head Hunters gang member and his female partner were charged over the unlawful taking of a Mercedes.
“Our enquiries will continue, and drugs charges are likely following a search warrant at the Ngunguru property,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.
Several properties linked to the Kaitaia Mongrel Mob were also searched.
“Three stolen motorbikes were recovered along with a stolen 4WD, resulting in several arrests and likely further to come.”
The results didn’t end there, as detectives located a 66-year-old man in Taupo Bay who was arrested to be extradited to Australia.
Police also located a cannabis grow operation and seized $10,000 in cash at the same time.
He will face serious methamphetamine dealing charges when he crosses The Tasman, Detective Inspector Johnston says.
- “This is by no means the end”:
Police continue to send a firm message that offending will be held to account.
“Police continue to take firm action against those peddling the misery of methamphetamine into many of our vulnerable communities,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.
“Our community has spoken up and we are continuing to target the prevalence of methamphetamine, so this is by no means the end.”
Alongside warrants being executed in these communities, a number of warnings were given out around drug possession.
Referrals have been made to support services for many families identified through the operations, as part of the Resilience to Organise Crime in Communities (ROCC) programme.
“We acknowledge the support of our colleagues, as additional resources have allowed a sustained targeting of those causing the most harm in our vulnerable communities.”
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
