Crossbows, cash, Harley seized in gang busts

Police at the Hells Angels' HQ this morning. Photo / NZPA

Crossbows, $20,000 cash, methamphetamine and a Harley Davidson motorcycle were among goods seized during a series of police raids on Hells Angels gang houses in Auckland and Napier this morning.

Napier area commander Inspector Kevin Kalff said the arrests followed an intensive two-month operation focusing on the distribution and sale of methamphetamine in Hawke's Bay.

Gang members in Hawke's Bay allegedly bought large quantities of methamphetamine from Hells Angels' headquarters in Mt Eden, Auckland, and sold it from a suburban house in Napier.

During a search of the Auckland address, police seized about four grams of methamphetamine, $20,000 cash, police batons, scales and a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Of concern, while not unlawful, were three crossbows with bolts and arrows found in bedrooms, police said.

A 39-year-old debt collector appeared in Auckland District Court today facing three charges relating to supplying methamphetamine and a 38-year-old Hells Angel member was also arrested for obstruction during the search.

The Napier searches resulted in eight arrests for offences including conspiracy to supply methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for supply and supplying methamphetamine.

Those charged include a fish filleter, a sickness beneficiary, three unemployed men and an unemployed female, aged between 29 and 48.

Five of those arrested were to appear in Napier District Court today and one tomorrow.

Mr Kalff said the operation revealed large quantities of the drug were being sold in the local community and today's arrests would severely disrupt the flow of methamphetamine entering Hawke's Bay.

"This was a well-organised group with strong gang connections in Auckland. It is indicative of a thriving drug trade that reaches into every corner of New Zealand and is not just confined to the big cities," he said.

However, Dale Kirk, managing director or drug education and consultancy company Methcon Group Limited said, while he congratulated police on the successful termination of the operation, he doubted that the flow of the drug would dry up.

"Where there is demand for a drug there will be supply. Methamphetamine is just like any other commodity and relies on the basic economic equation of supply and demand.

"Until we see resources placed into demand-based initiatives such as hard-hitting advertising campaigns and mass education programmes we will continue to see New Zealanders targeted by dealers.

"Until we (the public) realise that the gangs with the real power are the ones that are not demonstrative but actually lurk in the background, we will continue to live in a society infused with insidious drugs such as methamphetamine."

- NZPA