Seven gang-related arrests, stolen property recovered

Tauranga police have arrested seven people today in relation to an incident that happened in Tauranga on Sunday, 3 March.

At approximately 2am two vehicles with a number of people in them arrived at a car park on 12th Avenue.

The occupants of the vehicle were all armed with weapons described by witnesses as ranging from large bladed knives to lengths of steel chain, and a sword.

A 20-year-old man who was in the area received serious head injuries and was hospitalised for several days.

Police executed nine search warrants at addresses in Tauranga this morning.

Six men and one woman aged between 21 and 39 years from Tauranga were arrested.

Police also recovered stolen property, including a farm motorbike and a road bike, and a small number of cannabis plants.

All seven now face a joint charge of participating in an organised criminal group.

They are all members or associates of the same criminal gang and will be appearing in the Tauranga District Court tomorrow.

Enquiries are continuing and more arrests and further charges are likely.

Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier of the Tauranga police said: "The police in Tauranga will not tolerate this type of 'gang' mentality or criminal behaviour from any group".

As the matter is before the court there will be no further police comment.