Gang associate breaks leg fleeing police

FILE

A Black Power gang associate fell and broke his leg as he tried to escape police in a drugs bust in Rotorua.

The man was trying to evade arrest when he fell from a deck, Rotorua police Area Commander Inspector Bruce Horne said.

Five Black Power gang associates were arrested in the methamphetamine sting on Thursday morning at three different addresses in the western suburbs.

A 23-year-old man is facing eight charges of selling methamphetamine, a 24-year-old man is charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of supply, two other men aged 25 and 21 are facing charges of possession of cannabis for supply.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with selling methamphetamine and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mr Horne said the wounding charge was unrelated to the searches and related to an alleged serious assault at a private address in Western Heights on Monday.

As a result of the searches police seized 16 grams of methamphetamine, $2500 in cash and a small quantity of cannabis.

Mr Horne said the searches were the result of an ongoing investigation into local gangs and their criminal activities.

"Police are very aware of the community concern about gang activity, particularly in the western suburbs."

In a separate inquiry police arrested a 35-year-old man, also with gang connections, on Thursday.

He appeared in Rotorua District Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody on a raft of charges including possession of cannabis for supply and firearms offences.

Another man associated with Black Power was arrested last week on drugs and firearms offences after police conducted a routine bail check.

When it was discovered the man had breached his curfew, police went looking for him. His car was found a few hours later being driven by someone forbidden from driving.

When the police prepared the car for impoundment they found the owner of the car hiding under a pile of clothes in the rear foot-well. He was allegedly in possession of a firearm and a quantity of methamphetamine.

In a police search of his home, more drugs were found. The 29-year-old has been charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply, possession of cannabis for supply and a number of other charges.

"Gang members . . . deliberately engage in bullying behaviours and we have received numerous reports of concern from the public about the destructive influence that gang members are having on their local community," Mr Horne said.

"The police are determined to hold them to account for their behaviour and the arrests over the past few days are evidence of our resolve to address this problem.

"That said, police cannot do this work on their own and the whole of the community needs to be engaged in addressing the issues of gang violence and the illicit supply of drugs."