Ōpōtiki gangs crackdown: Police arrest two people, seize weapons, drugs, cash and ammunition

Weapons, drugs and cash were seized by police given special search powers in their crackdown on gangs in Ōpōtiki.

Police given special search powers to crack down on gangs in Ōpōtiki have made arrests and seized drugs, $27,000 in cash, weapons and ammunition.

Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne police were granted the powers under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act (CAIL) 2023 to quell ongoing gang tension from Monday this week. It came after a woman was shot in the arm while sitting in a car in Ōpōtiki on Saturday.

The legislation allows police to apply for special search powers during times of gang conflict.

Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Nicky Cooney told the Rotorua Daily Post in a statement that staff had executed nine CAIL warrants; two at addresses and seven on vehicles.

Items seized included $27,000 in cash, weapons (not firearms), ammunition, LSD and cannabis, he said.

One gang member was arrested as well as a second man.

A 22-year-old man was due to appear in the Ōpōtiki District Court on charges of possession of class A drugs, possession of class C drugs and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The second man, aged 36, was to appear in the same court on charges of possession of offensive weapons.

Both appearances were due to take place on Thursday.

Cooney said police would continue to be out in the community, ready to respond to unlawful behaviour by gangs and “anyone who believed they were above the law”.

“We are sending a clear message to all gangs and the wider public that police do not tolerate unlawful behaviour and will work hard to hold people to account.”

People can report incidents in which people’s safety is at risk by calling 111 immediately. If it has already happened, police say to call 105. The anonymous Crime Stoppers tipline is 0800 555 111.