A recent three day operation carried out in West Auckland by Police, the Department of Labour, and Fisheries staff, has revealed some surprising results.
"Hammerhead Two," a joint agency operation, began last Friday afternoon and ended on Sunday. Officers from all three agencies canvassed persons and vehicles at a chosen checkpoint for six hours, on each of the three days.
The checkpoint entry was established on Huia Road, Parau, near the Lower Nihotapu Dam. There were 24 x Fisheries staff, 12 x Police, and 4 x Immigration officers, from the Department of Labour involved.
Officer in Charge of "Hammerhead Two," Senior Constable Joe Savage of the Henderson Police, says the Huia/Cornwallis location, where the operation took place, is one of the Waitakere region's most popular areas for water activity and recreation.
"More than 1500 vehicles with occupants have been using the area on any one day during the summer, and there has been recent growing concern at the taking of undersized finfish, excess bag limits, and the over harvesting of shell fish stocks from the area," he said.
Constable Savage said the purpose of the operation was to identify and apprehend those persons who are committing offences against the Fisheries Act 1996, and Land Transport Act 1998. Some of these persons are also of referred interest to Immigration.
"Further operations such as this one are likely in the near future," he said.
Results from Operation Hammerhead Two include:
Police:
• Police stopped and checked more than 3,200 vehicles.
• Police identified more than 171 traffic offences
• Two persons were arrested for excessive breath alcohol
• 12 x unlicensed drivers were identified
• 4 x drivers are being dealt with for excess demerit points
Fisheries:
• There were 42 separate Fisheries offences.
• Five offenders were identified with excess amount of Paua.
• One offender had a total of 141 Paua, with not one over size. This offender and one other had their vehicles confiscated.
• The numbers of Paua located during this operation was the most seen in the Huia/ Cornwallis in many years.
Immigration:
• Immigration officers carried out checks on all vehicles and located seven persons. Three of these individuals are in custody awaiting removal to their respective countries this week, and the remaining four are being dealt with by way of non custodial removal. [They were not arrested on site or retained in custody]