Please attribute to South Taranaki Response Manager Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Russ:
Six Nomad gang members are before the courts after being arrested in Patea as part of Operation Cobalt.
The men, aged between 19 and 40, were arrested in Patea between 17 March and 5 May following investigations targeting unlawful conduct by members of the Nomad gang.
The investigations involved members of the Armed Offenders Squad and CIB, and included a number of search warrants.
The men are all due to appear in Hawera District Court on 16 May and 26 May on charges including aggravated robbery and participating in an organised criminal group. Five have been remanded in custody.
These warrants are an example of the ongoing work being carried out as part of Operation Cobalt across New Zealand, targeting illegal activity by gang members and their associates.
South Taranaki Police is committed and focused on driving gang early intervention and enforcement activity.
Police ensure a visible Policing approach to disrupt unlawful activity and hold offenders to account.
Our aim is on reducing the prevalence of this sort of behaviour and those who are choosing to engage themselves in this type of activity should expect to come to our attention.
On this occasion we have arrested six members of the nomad gang who are currently answering serious charges before the Courts.
If you have any concerns about or suspect suspicious activity in your neighbourhood, please contact Police.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously though Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre