Armed police who stopped a vehicle being driven on a rural east Auckland road allegedly found it occupied by two men and live shotgun ammunition.
A police spokesperson says officers stopped the vehicle in Murphys Road, Flat Bush, at about 10.25am on November 24 in relation to a spate of recent incidents where firearms had been discharged in south Auckland.
“The vehicle was searched and a quantity of live shotgun shells have been located.
“An 18-year-old male has been arrested and charged with unlawful possession of ammunition.”
Another male occupant of the vehicle was arrested on unrelated matters.
Both men were due to appear in the Manukau District Court on November 25.
Police have a dedicated team investigating the spate of shootings and are following positive lines of inquiry to hold those responsible to account, the spokesperson says.
Counties Manukau Police District commander Superintendent Jill Rogers says an investigation into the firearm incidents in the district in recent weeks is ongoing.
All six incidents happened in Otara and five of them involved shots being discharged. No one was injured.
“Police believe the people involved are associated with an organised crime group and the incidents are linked and not random,” Rogers says.
“While it is a small number of people who are carrying out these serious crimes, their behaviour puts innocent members of our community at risk.
“Police will not tolerate this dangerous and reckless behaviour and we are working quickly to identify those involved.
“Through our enquiries, police have already seized a quantity of ammunition and other items associated with firearms.”
People with information on the incidents can phone police on 105 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
