KEY POINTS:
South Auckland's notorious Killer Beez gang has been virtually shut down, say police. Officers are vowing to continue their crackdown on organised crime to stop other gangs taking their place.
About 60 Killer Beez members and associates were arrested in May after police raided properties in Otara and
Papatoetoe.
The seized about $500,000 of P and cannabis, $200,000 in cash and a large amount of stolen property including vehicles.
The raids followed a six-month sting dubbed Operation Leo, which also targeted the Tribesmen gang.
Detective Sergeant Ross Ellwood of Counties Manukau police said the arrests had "taken the core out of the gang".
"All the Killer Beez leaders are gone. Some are in custody, some are out on bail but are on very strict bail conditions," he said.
Joshua Masters, one of the gang's leaders, was expected to remain in police custody until his trial next year, said Ellwood, who added the tactics used in Operation Leo would be used to shut down gangs where possible.
"We have done so recently with the Mongrel Mob in Manurewa. Our organised crime unit terminated Operation Vero and locked up one of the top members and arrested 10 others who were involved in a large-scale methamphetamine operation.
Senior Sergeant Andrew Berry, the tactical co-ordinator for Counties Manukau's eastern suburbs, said Operation Leo had put a dent in the Killer Beez but the job was only half done.
"They have not dropped off the face of the earth but they have taken a big hit," he said.
"The Killer Beez have stopped being so prominent but that does not mean that they're done with and it does not mean that we don't have other street gangs that have stepped into that vacuum.
"They are not as prominent but unpoliced and unsanctioned they could grow into as big a problem as we had with the Killer Beez."
Berry said police were taking a proactive approach to dealing with South Auckland gangs.
"Street gangs and the associated crime that goes with them - drug dealing, bag snatching and robberies - are acknowledged as risks in Counties Manukau and are something we are working very hard to target.
He said the Otara community was "relieved" the Killer Beez were not as prominent. "The Killer Beez wanted to paint Otara yellow and they didn't particularly care what the community thought.
"We certainly shouldn't be running around declaring victory. I think we are a long way off that - but we've made a good start."
Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Mike Bush
said one of the prime objectives of the Counties Manukau police was to "protect people from the harm of serious drugs".
"The real focus of the New Zealand Police and particularly this district is to focus on any organisation or group that makes a living out of making and selling drugs. "
