On Tuesday 13th September, 2016, Police staff from Palmerston North, Feilding and Levin have executed 11 search warrants in the Manawatu area, targeting burglary and firearms offending.
During the warrants, six pistols, a cut-down .22 rifle and related ammunition was recovered. Police also recovered items of stolen property.
Both drug and firearm-trained dogs were used during the search process.
Seven people have been arrested and charged with a variety of offences, including unlawful possession of firearms, receiving stolen property, cultivation of cannabis, and theft. It is likely that further arrests will be made in the coming days.
Detective Sergeant Karen Heald says: “It is pleasing to be able to recover any firearm that is in the wrong hands, so to recover seven during these warrants is an outstanding result.
"These results are a direct result of information from the public and reporting of suspicious behaviour. We want this to continue, so people are encouraged to report anything they see and hear which doesn’t seem right. Working together will mean results like this will continue in the future.”
Members of the public are reminded to contact Police if they observe any suspicious or unusual behaviour in their communities. This can be done anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
As this matter is now before the courts, Police are not in a position to comment further.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre