Gang tangi leads police to one arrest for guns, cannabis in Kaitaia
Photo:
RNZ / REECE BAKER
Reports of bad driving behaviour including a gun being shot from a car in Northland prompted police to set up road checkpoints after a tangi earlier this week.
Northland District Commander Superintendent Matt Srhoj said police received reports of poor driver behaviour and a firearm being discharged from a vehicle on Saturday night, though he stressed it was not aimed at anyone.
In response police set up an operation around Kaitaia as gang members travelled to the tangi on Tuesday at a marae near Awanui.
"Numerous road policing checkpoints were carried out following the tangi on Tuesday, in which several vehicles of interest attempted to pass through," Srhoj said.
"These were vehicles we were seeking in connection with the offending detected on Saturday night."
Three vehicles were impounded, and search warrants were then executed including at a local address where police claim three rifles, a shotgun and a semi-automatic rifle were found.
A 34-year-old Kaitaia man faced five charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession for supply of cannabis.
He had already appeared in the Kaitaia District Court and was remanded in custody.
Srhoj said there were no significant concerns surrounding the tangi but police enquiries would continue into the events of Saturday night.
"There is a way to respectfully grieve the loss of someone, and that does not include putting the wider public's safety at risk," Srhoj said.
"I would like to acknowledge our Far North team who have been visible and well-planned throughout.
"We have had a range of staff involved from our public safety team, road policing, investigations as well as the Gang Disruption Unit."
The tangi was for patched Crips member Ngaiwa Miru, who police earlier said was a passenger in a car that crashed on Allen Bell Drive in Kaitaia on Friday.
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