Police have raided five Northland properties and arrested 11 people in a operation targeting the Head Hunters gang and methamphetamine. Cash and methamphetamine have been seized.
About 60 police officers plus the Armed Offenders Squad carried out the raids just after 6am today.
The arrests come as officers terminated OperationAtlas, a police investigation into the criminal activities of the Head Hunters gang, including the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine in the greater Northland area.
Detectives from the Northland Organised Crime Unit were assisted by officers from the Organised Financial Crime Agency (OFCANZ), the Asset Recovery Unit, and the Specialist Search Group.
Northland Criminal Investigations Manager Detective Inspector Kevin Burke said the demand for methamphetamine remained strong and the drug transcended all sectors of society. "At this time discretionary money should be going on the joys of Christmas. Much of the money, obtained by offenders committing burglaries or breaking into or stealing cars, ends up in the hands of drug dealers who supply meth," Mr Burke said.
Police are now speaking to the 11 offenders who will be appearing in the Whangarei District Court later today facing various charges relating to the supply and manufacture of methamphetamine.
