Offender still on the run

A road cordon and searches near Puhipuhi followed sightings of an offender wanted by police after an investigation into the Head Hunters gang. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Police cordons, the Eagle helicopter and the armed offenders squad failed to pin down an offender running from a police investigation into the Head Hunters gang.

The man sighted at a Northland property at about 3pm on Friday is wanted in relation to Operation Atlas, an investigation into the criminal activities of the gang, including the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine, known as P.

The fugitive was spotted at a rural property located about 30 kilometres north-east of Whangarei.

Police said the armed offenders squad was sent to the scene as a precaution and cordons surrounding the remote property near Puhipuhi were put in place.

Despite a lengthy search, including from the air by the police Eagle helicopter, the wanted man was not located and yesterday was still on the loose.

On Thursday morning, a team of 60 police raided five properties across Northland and arrested 11 people as part of Operation Atlas.

During the drug raids, methamphetamine with a street value of $400,000, $20,000 cash and stolen gold jewellery which had been melted down was seized.

The raids resulted in five men appearing in Whangarei Court on Friday, with more to come next week.