Waikato gang bust: arrests made

Counties Manukau Police recovered cannabis, methamphetamine, cash, chainsaws, mountain bikes, clothing, and electronic goods in a gang bust targeting the Tribesmen and Killer Beez.

Police arrested eight people aged between 24 and 64, and searched eight residential addresses yesterday.

Those arrested face a number of charges including the supply and sale of drugs.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Tiernan said the latest raid was part of continuing efforts by the Counties Manukau CIB to combat drug related offending in the area.

"The effect of drugs in the community is devastating and police will take swift actions to hold those offenders to account who try to spread harm through supplying and selling illicit drugs."

Enquiries were continuing in order to identify the owners of the stolen property, and further charges are likely to be laid, Mr Tieman said.

He said anyone wanting to share information with police about the stolen property and drugs could do so confidentially by contacting their local police station, or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

And in the Waikato yesterday, search warrants were executed on properties by 40 police at Te Aroha, Paeroa, Matamata and Waiuku, as part of an anti-meth operation.

Two shotguns were recovered in the raids.

Nine arrests were made and more are likely, Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene said.

"Operation Daydream was focused on the dealing of methamphetamine in and around Te Aroha, alongside dishonesty offending in the same area."

Mr Greene said a man and woman found in a vehicle behind a service station in Bombay overnight were among those arrested.

Others have been charged for offences including dishonesty offences and the supplying of methamphetamine.

"Investigations to date lead us to believe that many of those arrested are known to each other, and they have worked as a group supplying the drug in and around Te Aroha."