Police have arrested and charged six people as part of a crackdown on a motorcycle gang with an east Auckland address among those targeted.
Auckland City Police’s organised crime unit carried out search warrants on members of the Rebels MC gang on October 29.
Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe says ‘Operation Ryleigh’ began in July after tensions between the Rebels and King Cobra gangs saw a series of arsons carried out in Auckland earlier this year.
Police have since identified further alleged serious criminal offending, including possession and supply of methamphetamine and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Six addresses including in East Tamaki and four suburbs across south Auckland were subject to search warrants on October 29.
Police arrested and charged six men.
A 34-year-old man is charged with participating in an organised criminal group and possession of methamphetamine for supply.
Five other males ranging in age from 25-39 years old are charged with participating in an organised criminal group.
All six men were scheduled to appear in the Manukau District Court on October 29.
Pascoe says police cannot rule out the possibility of more charges being laid.
“In addition to the six arrested today, two 27 year olds, who were already before the courts on related offending, will also be facing additional charges of participating in an organised criminal group.”
Pascoe says another male will face further additional charges relating to the alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and supplying methamphetamine.
A fourth male faces two further additional charges of supplying methamphetamine, offering to supply methamphetamine, and supplying a cannabis plant.
While the investigation into the series of arsons is ongoing, the arrests show the police’s commitment to stamp out criminal offending by organised crime groups, Pascoe says.
“We will ensure they are held accountable for the harm they continue to cause throughout our communities.
“Lives and families are destroyed by methamphetamine, and gangs are at the centre of that destruction.
“Police and our partners see the hurt methamphetamine causes to individuals on a daily basis.
“All the gangs are interested in are the profits so they can lead an outwardly lavish style.
“They have no interest in the damage left behind by this drug they continue to peddle.”
Pascoe says over the course of the investigation police have seized firearms, ammunition and methamphetamine.
