The gang leader who claims to have driven P dealers out of Ngaruawahia has reportedly lost an eyeball for his efforts.
Tribal Huk president Jamie Pink told Fairfax this morning that his SUV had been shot at multiple times and that he lost an eyeball during a confrontation during the weekend.
"I've lost an eyeball, but all good," Pink told Fairfax.
Fairfax reported Pink had a patch covering his right eye and bandages on his arm and hand.
Pink and an associate told Fairfax this morning that there were loaded guns in his black Ford Explorer and that they and police needed to be careful.
Pink also claimed victory over the P dealers and said they had all left the north Waikato town.
Last week he said he had driven 14 P dealers out of Ngaruawahia after telling them they had 24 hours to flee the town "or else".
A police spokeswoman confirmed Pink's vehicle was picked up on Anglesea St, near the Repco building, in Hamilton about 11am. No one was in the vehicle, she said.
Investigations were ongoing, but police did not have any further information about whether Pink had suffered any injuries.
Police did not answer questions from the Herald about whether the vehicle was voluntarily handed over by the owner or if a search warrant had been issued and how police were alerted to the vehicle's whereabouts.
Managing director of drug education consultancy Methcon Group and former police drug squad detective Dale Kirk said it was all very well taking a stance and driving people out of town, but people's addictions didn't also suddenly go away.
"You are not getting rid of a problem and people aren't leaving just because some person says so. [If] there is money to be made they will be continuing to market to those people."