More than 30 search warrants are underway across greater Auckland, the Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas, as part of a major Police operation against the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine.
Just after 6am, 160 Police officers launched search warrants at residential and business addresses, in the following areas;
Auckland
-Warkworth
-Stanmore Bay
-Glenfield
-Parnell
-St Heliers
-Glen Innes
-Hillsborough
-Mt Eden
-Mt Albert
-Mt Wellington
-Grey Lynn
-Otahuhu
-Mercer
-Botany
-East Tamaki
-Manukau
Northland
-Morewa
-Kaikohe
Waikato
-Pukeatua
-Fairfield
-Chartwell
-Whatawhata
Bay of Plenty
-Oropi
-Taupo
Christchurch
-Northwood
-Clearwater
Armed Offender’s Squads have been used as a precautionary measure to gain entry into properties in Hobson St (central Auckland), Botany, Whatawhata and Oropi.
Two men were arrested by Armed Offenders members in a car in Auckland’s K Road.
Seventeen people have been detained and are now speaking with Police. The majority of these people are expected to appear this afternoon in the Auckland District Court.
One man is expected to appear in the Kaikohe District Court.
Two people are expected to appear in the Hamilton District Court.
Further details around the ages and charges of these people will be provided later.
Today’s termination is part of a long-running investigation into an organised criminal group alleged to be responsible for a methamphetamine manufacture and supply ring.
Five of the people alleged to be involved are members or associates of the Head Hunters gang.
Specialist groups such as the Police Clan Lab and Asset Recovery Teams are also involved in today’s operation.
Two clan labs have been located at residential properties in Oropi, in the Bay of Plenty.
“At one of these search warrants in Otahuhu this morning, we’ve found $6500 worth of casino chips, in the boot of a Mercedes. We suspect that these are linked to money laundering; hiding money that’s been obtained from selling meth” says Det Snr Sgt Lloyd Schmid, Organised Crime.
Several vehicles have been seized from the Otahuhu address, including a highly-modified Nissan GTL Skyline and a 2015 Kawasaki Motorbike. Bundles of cash, including US dollars, have also been found. (PICTURES ARE ATTACHED TO THIS RELEASE)
A Haines Hunter boat, named “Licence to Thrill” has been seized from a storage unit in South Auckland. (PHOTO ATTACHED)
Further seizures are expected to take place throughout the day.
Another update will be provided within the next few hours.
ENDS
Det Snr Sgt Schmid will be available for interview later today, a further release will come out notifying when he is available.
Beth Bates/NZ Police
