Guns, cash and drugs seized in transtasman gang crackdown operation

Police have made five arrests as part of a transtasman crackdown on outlaw motorcycle gangs, during which a large stash, including firearms, drugs and $150,000 cash, was seized.

This week, police across the country targeted members and associates of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, laying 18 charges for firearms and class A and B drugs offences.

Police said this was part of Taskforce Morpheus, a joint operation with Australian law enforcement agencies, carried out as part of a “National Day of Action” targeting criminal offending.

Detective Inspector Wayne Gray, from the National Gang Unit, said a “raft of illegal items” had been seized during searches across Auckland this week.

Police also carried out “activity” in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Central and Tasman districts.

One warrant was executed in Te Atatū Peninsula, where police seized three AR-15 military semi-automatic rifles as well as firearm parts and ammunition.

Meanwhile, other police searches located “numerous items of interest”.

“At a gang pad in the Takanini area, 400 bottles of alcohol and spirits were seized in relation to alleged breaches of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act.

“We have seized quantities of MDMA, methamphetamine and GBL,” he said.

Overall, more than $150,000 in cash and approximately $93,000 in jewellery were found.

In Mount Eden, police impounded a Mercedes-Benz and a Ford Ranger.

Gray said three patched members and two associates of the gang are now facing criminal charges after this phase of Taskforce Morpheus.

Charges include unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, possession for supply of fantasy and possession for supply of methamphetamine.

“These illegal and violent activities that outlaw motorcycle gangs choose to involve themselves in are having impacts across many communities.

“We welcome every opportunity to work with law enforcement agencies across borders, and this unified effort is continuing to put pressure on gangs,” Gray said.

He said police were committed to the communities’ safety and would take every opportunity to prevent harm and intimidation caused by gangs.

“Police will continue to target and disrupt the secretive and illegal activities these gangs are involving themselves in, which is resulting in serious charges being laid as is the case in this latest phase,” Gray said.

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