Operation Round Up A Significant Blow To Hells Angels
Operation Round Up has seen nearly $2.5 million worth of assets seized as Police executed around 30 search warrants on properties and vehicles this morning.
The search warrants were executed in Whanganui, Auckland, Palmerston North, and Hastings, assisted by the Armed Offenders Squad and Special Tactics Group.
During the warrants across the North Island, items seized included five firearms, a brick of cocaine, $7,000 cash, and around 10 ounces of meth.
Seventeen men and 2 women have been charged, including the president, vice-president, and sergeant at arms.
Detective Inspector Craig Sheridan says this is a significant blow to the gang, which has had an entrenched presence in the Whanganui community for decades.
As part of enforcement activity, Police's Central Asset Recovery Unit has restrained five motorcycles, seven vehicles, three properties, two jet skis, and around $108,000 cash.
Detective Inspector Sheridan says the operation has been spearheaded by Central District Organised Crime Unit, in an all-of-Police approach to tackling gang harm.
Staff from several workgroups and locations have worked as one to obtain these results, he says.
'The assets restrained are believed to be the proceeds of crime, and anyone profiting from the sale of illicit drugs can expect to see their assets restrained or forfeited.
'We will continue to use all available tools to disrupt criminal organisations who profit from this offending, and from the harm caused by illicit drugs in our community,' Detective Inspector Sheridan says.
The operation began in March 2024 and has involved hours of planning, resources, and work by a number of Police staff.
Police cannot rule out further arrests and charges.
Whanganui Area Commander Inspector Neil Forlong says the arrest of so many leaders of the Hells Angels will have a huge impact on the community.
'This gang has been a part of the fabric of Whanganui for years, and the generational harm they have caused is significant.'
However, it is important to remember what comes next, once gang leaders have been arrested.
'The very fact this gang has been part of so many lives means we need also to take care of those who have relied on the gang's activities for so long – partners, children, now all need support.'
Local agencies will help assist whanau and loved ones impacted by these arrests, to ensure they have support moving forward.
Inspector Forlong says local iwi leadership has spoken to him about introducing a meth harm reduction programme in Whanganui, which Police would be supportive of.
All those arrested have appeared today or are appearing in court in coming days, in Whanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings, and courts in Tamaki Makaurau.
SIGNIFICANT ARRESTS
A 35 year old Whanganui man, and a 35 year old Whanganui woman are each charged with:
3x Importing cocaine
4x Importing methamphetamine
3x Possession of meth for supply
Possession of cocaine for supply
Conspiracy to supply methamphetamine
Participating in an organised criminal group.
A 30 year old Whanganui man is charged with:
3x Importing cocaine
Importing methamphetamine
Conspiracy to supply methamphetamine
2x Possession of meth for supply
2x Possession of cocaine for supply
Supplying cocaine
Participation in an organised criminal group.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
16 hours ago
- Scoop
10,000 To Get Family And Sexual Violence Training
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Better, and more, training to help staff support in family and sexual violence responses are being rolled out across frontline services, with the goal of reaching 10,000 workers in the next two years. Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour says, 'this will ensure victim-survivors receive best practice support, and will empower staff to safely recognise, refer, and respond to family and sexual violence.' 'This training is an important part of our response to family and sexual violence. I am proud of our progress against the second Te Aorerekura Action Plan, it shows the benefits of a multi-agency response and the dedication of government departments to best supporting victim-survivors.' Other progress against the Action Plan includes: The Ministry of Justice has delivered training to over 800 members of its court-related workforce. Ongoing training is expected to reach up to 500 people per year. The Department of Corrections has given essential-level family violence training to more than 4,700 of its staff. In 2024, Police redesigned the course for new recruits to include two weeks' family violence training. Over 550 Police recruits received training in that first year, and over 850 recruits are expected to receive training by the end of 2025. 'The Action Plan sets out a number of key actions to be achieved, including training 10,000 frontline workers in family violence and sexual violence over two years. 'These goals are bold. Achieving them will require strong cross-agency collaboration and re-enforced commitment to this focus area as a priority. 'This boldness is needed to improve the support provided to victim-survivors and will empower these frontline workers to undertake their roles with the greatest care,' says Mrs Chhour.
Scoop
16 hours ago
- Scoop
Northland Driver Speeds Into Trouble
A speeding driver who failed to stop for Police in the Far North yesterday afternoon ended up in custody with their car impounded. Police observed a black Holden Commodore being driven at excessive spend on State Highway 1 near Horeke at around 3.30pm. The driver allegedly ignored a request to pullover from a Police patrol and took off at speed, overtaking numerous vehicles on the highway and subsequent auxiliary roads. 'A concerned member flagged down a patrol vehicle to tell us the car was speeding and almost crashed into a ditch,' says Sergeant Josh Clauson of Kerikeri Police. 'The caller also alleged the occupants had thrown drug utensils out of the car.' Further enquiries resulted in the vehicle, which was fitted with false plates, being stopped in Horeke around 5.45pm. Methamphetamine and cannabis were found inside and the car was impounded. Two people were arrested and have been charged with driving and drug related offences. 'We're very pleased with the swift resolution of this incident,' says Sergeant Clauson. 'The lives of innocent people are at risk from speeding drivers and Police are focussed on reducing the risk of harm by getting dangerous drivers off the road.'
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- RNZ News
Pipe bombs found by body near Auckland motorway not treated as a criminal matter, police say
The police cordon was set up near SH1 at Highbrook. Photo: RNZ / Bella Craig Pipe bombs found near a body beside Auckland's Southern Motorway are not a criminal matter, police say. Police were alerted to the death in Highbrook about 11.30am on Tuesday and it resulted in the motorway being closed for many hours . On Wednesday, police confirmed the devices found near the body of the man were pipe bombs that could have killed people within proximity. The death of the man had now been referred to the Coroner, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said. "Police will not be releasing detailed findings of the post-mortem, but it has indicated the man died of a self-inflicted injury." The man's death and the discovery of the pipe bombs were not being treated as a criminal matter, he said. "Police are currently unable to release further details surrounding the man, as formal identification procedures are yet to be completed." The man's next of kin had been contacted, he said, and they were being supported. "This incident has occurred in a very public place, and I understand there will naturally be curiosity surrounding what has taken place. "It's important to remember that a person has died and there is family grieving, so we ask people to be mindful of speculation." The Coroner would, in time, issue findings surrounding the circumstances that led to the man's death, Hayward said. If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
