Thirteen people are to appear in court facing burglary, receiving stolen property and drug-related charges, after police busted a Marlborough crime ring yesterday.
The group, ranging in age from 16 to 62, was arrested after 28 police executed 14 search warrants yesterday.
Two pump action shotguns, more than
200 rounds of shotgun ammunition, generators, electronic items and tools, were among the hoard of property police recovered in the search.
Police believed the operation and the resulting arrests would have a major impact on crime reduction in the Marlborough area in relation to burglaries, Sergeant Tony Yardley of Blenheim police said.
He said police were aware that a large quantity of flat screen televisions, stereo systems and similar items being sold by this crime ring throughout the Blenheim area.
If anybody had purchased any such items recently, from other than retail outlets at what they knew was a very good price, they were asked to contact police to discuss the return of the items as they were quite likely stolen.
- NZPA
