Nine arrested facing almost 60 charges
Nine people with alleged gang links have been arrested in the Far North after police seized guns, drugs, cash and stolen property.
Northland Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry said almost 60 charges have been laid against the group as part of Operation Cobalt, a police operation to disrupt gang activity.
Last week, police from Northland’s organised crime teams carried out search warrants in Kaitāia, Taipa, Kaikohe, and Kaeo targeting an alleged methamphetamine distribution network.
The search warrants led police to 16 firearms, 45g of methamphetamine, 250 cannabis plants, $36,000 cash and $50,000 of stolen property, including vehicles.
‘‘Nine people, who are alleged to be linked to a number of gangs, including Tribesman, Head Hunters and the Mongrel Mob, have been arrested,’’ Verry said.
They are facing 57 charges between them, relating to possession of methamphetamine for supply, supplying methamphetamine, cultivating cannabis and unlawful possession of firearms.
A 40-year-old woman from Kaitaia with ‘‘strong links’’ to the Tribesman gang was arrested on February 27 and was facing three charges of possessing methamphetamine for supply and nine charges of supplying methamphetamine.
A 50-year-old Taipa man, with ‘‘strong links’’ to several criminal gangs, was arrested the next day and charged with possessing methamphetamine for supply, cultivating cannabis, and possessing substances capable of the manufacture of methamphetamine.
They have both been remanded in custody and are due to reappear in the Kaitaia District Court today.
Additionally, a 35-year-old woman from Kaitaia, with links to the Mongrel Mob gang, was arrested on March 6 and charged with possessing cannabis for supply, as well as facing 25 charges of supplying methamphetamine.
She was due to appear in the Kaitaia District Court yesterday. The six others were due to reappear in the Kaitaia District Court at a later date.