A major police investigation has resulted in 28 arrests, and the seizure of “significant quantities” of illegal drugs and firearms after officers executed search warrants at gang pads across the North Island this morning.
Police said their investigation also prevented a planned shooting at an Ōpōtiki gang tangi and the attempted murder of a rival gang member in Hamilton.
Thirty search warrants were executed in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Auckland, Rotorua, Taupō and Hawke’s Bay as part of Operation Highwater – launched late last year following an increase in violent crime and other offending in Ōpōtiki.
Police said the “concentrated operation targeted members and associates of the Mongrel Mob Barbarian MC East Bay chapter”.
According to police, the operation was led by the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG) and these warrants targeted identified persons believed to be involved in a North Island-wide methamphetamine and cannabis distribution network.
Firearms, including three rifles and a pistol, 2.7kgs of cannabis and smaller quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, and 12 Mongrel Mob Barbarian gang patches were some of the seizures made.
According to police, assets restrained include a residential property, four cars, one jetski, two trail bikes, one Harley Davidson motorcycle, $86,000 in a bank account, around $20,000 in jewellery and $65,500 in cash, totalling around $800,000 worth.
The search warrants come as the conclusion of a 10-month investigation which detected and prevented instances of serious violence, a police spokesperson said.
“One such incident saw police deploy to Ōpōtiki, after receiving information about a planned drive-by shooting at an Eastern Bay of Plenty marae.
“Quick action by police suppressed the planned actions and located and seized three firearms, including a high-powered rifle, shotguns, and ammunition, preventing what could have been a serious incident.”
Detective Superintendent Greg Williams said a second “similar event” was prevented in Hamilton where there was a plot to murder a rival gang member.
“It’s pleasing to see that we’re actually able to prevent that kind of violence occurring in that community.”
Police had also completed 12 search warrants in Whitianga and the Coromandel after the investigation team identified a flow of methamphetamine into the area in August.
Six people were arrested and methamphetamine, cannabis and a firearm were seized.
‘A good day for Ōpōtiki’ – police
Bay of Plenty district commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said: “today is a good day for Ōpōtiki”. Anderson said the termination of this operation was a clear message to gang members selling illegal drugs across the Bay of Plenty.
“We will find you and hold you accountable for your destructive behaviour.”
He said police would “relentlessly” pursue criminals who prey upon communities and cause a “huge amount of harm and misery”.
“I’d like to thank the community members who have reported this type of offending.”
Anderson said police have stood up their gang disruption unit in the Bay of Plenty and that they were in the eastern Bay of Plenty targeting gangs “as we speak”.
“They, and all our staff across the Bay, will continue to work hard every day to make our communities safer.”