Please Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Baird:
Southland Police have made two arrests following three pre-planned search warrants in Mataura, two on Albion Street and one on Forth Street.
The search warrants were following an alleged aggravated robbery in Queens Park, Mataura on 5 March.
The Armed Offenders Squad was utilised to execute the Search Warrants as precaution and cordons were put in place.
Two firearms, ammunition, cannabis, and alleged stolen property were recovered.
A 39-year-old Mataura male was due to appear in Invercargill District Court on Friday on charges of Unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and cultivation of cannabis.
A 16-year-old male has been referred to Youth Aid in relation to possession of a firearm.
Enquiries are continuing into the robbery and other matters arising from the search warrants. Further arrests are likely.
Police will continue to zero tolerance to alleged offending by gang members and associates and want to assure members of the local community and public that offenders will be held to account.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre