New Zealand Police have made five arrests as part of a coordinated Trans-Tasman crackdown on outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Taskforce Morpheus sees New Zealand Police join with Australian law enforcement agencies in a National Day of Action disrupting criminal offending.
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.
Detective Inspector Wayne Gray, from the National Gang Unit, says a raft of other illegal items have also been seized during searches across Auckland.
Elsewhere across the country, Police also carried out activity in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Central and Tasman districts.
One warrant was executed in Te Atatū Peninsula, in west Auckland.
“At one property we have seized three AR-15 military semi-automatic rifles as well as firearms parts and ammunition,” Detective Inspector Gray says.
Meanwhile, other 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.”
Overall, more than $150,000 in cash and approximately $93,000 in jewellery was located.
In Mount Eden, Police impounded a Mercedes Benz and Ford Ranger.
Three patched members and two associates of the gang are facing criminal charges after this phase of Taskforce Morpheus.
Charges include unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and possession for supply of fantasy and possession for supply of methamphetamine.
“These illegal and violent activities that outlaw motorcycle gangs chose to involve themselves in are having impacts across many communities,” Detective Inspector Gray says.
“We welcome every opportunity to work with law enforcement agencies across borders, and this unified effort is continuing to put pressure on gangs.”
Police are committed to our communities’ safety, taking 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.”
