Accused gang member's identity kept a secret

Police searched the Headhunters HQ in Ellerslie last week. Photo / Nick Reed

A man accused of "very serious offences", after a wide-ranging police sting on the Head Hunters gang, will have his identity kept secret for at least two weeks.

The 35-year-old west Auckland man, facing a raft of drugs, weapons and money laundering charges appeared in Auckland District Court this morning for a bail application.

But his lawyer Ron Mansfield said no address was yet available, so the hearing was postponed until Thursday.

Though Judge David Harvey continued the suppression of the man's name until later this month, when he will appear with his co-defendants, he said it would be a stretch for the order to run any further.

"There would have to be a compelling case," he said. "The public is entitled to know who is before the court and furthermore what their affiliations might be."

Seven people appeared in Auckland District Court last week after raids on Head Hunters properties.

Another three people - inmates at Mt Eden Corrections Facility - have also been charged as part of the sting and police said they would appear in court at a later date.

Dubbed Operation Sylvester, the investigation centred on the profits from the manufacture and production of methamphetamine, allegedly by Head Hunters members, affiliates and associates.

Last week's raids involved about 180 officers and 30 addresses, including the Fight Club 88 gym in the Auckland suburb of Ellerslie.

Police seized 30 vehicles, including a 1958 Ford Fairlane and a 1964 Ford Thunderbird, from a panel shop on Marua Road, Ellerslie.

Military-grade semi-automatic weapons were also taken.

Officers said they had expected to seize about $4 million of assets, including a large number of very expensive, high-end cars, machinery, bank accounts and property.

Ten people have been charged so far but police say investigations are also ongoing into the alleged supply of contraband and fraudulent activity and further arrests have not been ruled out.

Police confirmed they were speaking to two men and a woman - one a former Mt Eden prison guard - about what role they allegedly played in the alleged large-scale network.

Also under investigation is the alleged supply of contraband such as tobacco and cell phones to Head Hunters-affiliated and other prisoners at the Mt Eden Corrections Facility.

"One of the three people is a former guard at the facility. The other two persons are private individuals," a police spokeswoman said.

Serco and the Department of Corrections are working with police.