Latest news with #CraigSheridan
1News
15-07-2025
- 1News
'Huge blow': 19 arrests, $2.5m of assets seized from Hells Angels
Nineteen Hells Angels members and their associates have been arrested and nearly $2.5 million in assets have been seized in a "huge blow" to the motorcycle club's Whanganui chapter, police say. The arrests were made after police – with assistance from the armed offenders squad and the special tactics group – carried out 30 searches on properties and vehicles across Whanganui, Auckland, Palmerston North and Hastings this morning. Seventeen men and two women have been charged – including the president, vice-president, and sergeant at arms, Detective Inspector Craig Sheridan said. "During the warrants across the North Island, items seized included five firearms, a brick of cocaine, $7000 cash, and around 10 ounces of meth." A further five motorcycles, seven vehicles, three properties, two jet skis, and around $108,000 cash have been restrained by the police's Central Asset Recovery Unit. ADVERTISEMENT (Source: New Zealand Police) Sheridan said it was a significant blow to the gang, which has had an entrenched presence in the Whanganui community for decades. "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." (Source: New Zealand Police) The arrests were made as part of Operation Round Up, which began in March 2024 and was spearheaded by the central district organised crime unit. Police said further arrests and charges cannot be ruled out. ADVERTISEMENT 'The generational harm they have caused is significant' Whanganui area commander inspector Neil Forlong said 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," he said. '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.' Police said local agencies will help assist whanau and loved ones impacted by these arrests, to ensure they have support moving forward. Forlong added local iwi leadership has spoken to him about introducing a meth harm reduction programme in Whanganui, which police would be supportive of. Police said all those arrested have appeared today or are appearing in court in coming days, in Whanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings, and Tamaki Makaurau.
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Scoop
Operation Round Up A Significant Blow To Hells Angels
Press Release – New Zealand Police 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. Police have arrested and charged 19 members and associates of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Whanganui chapter today, in a huge blow to their stranglehold in the area. 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.
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- RNZ News
Police operation results in 19 members and associates of Hells Angels being arrested
The police operation began in March 2024. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Nineteen members and associates of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Whanganui chapter have been arrested as part of a year-long police operation. Operation Round Up, saw nearly $2.5 million worth of assets seized by police as they did about 30 search warrants on properties and vehicles on Tuesday morning. The search warrants took place in Whanganui, Auckland, Palmerston North, and Hastings. Detective Inspector Craig Sheridan said five guns, a brick of cocaine, $7000 cash and about 10 ounces of meth were found. Five motorcycles, seven vehicles, three properties, two jet skis, and around $108,000 cash were also restrained by police's central asset recovery unit. As a result, 17 men and two women, including the president, vice-president, and sergeant at arms, were arrested and charged. Sheridan said the operation was spearheaded by Central District Organised Crime Unit in an all-of-police approach to tackling gang harm. The operation began in March 2024 and involved hours of planning, resources and work by a number of police staff, he said. Whanganui Area Commander Inspector Neil Forlong said the arrest of so many leaders of the Hells Angels would 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 was important to remember what comes next, once gang leaders have been arrested, he said. "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 would help whānau and loved ones impacted by the arrests, to give them support moving forward. Forlong said local iwi leadership had spoken to him about introducing a meth harm reduction programme in Whanganui, which police would be supportive of. All those arrested appeared in court on Tuesday or would be appearing in coming days in Whanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings and Auckland. They faced a range of charges including importing cocaine and methamphetamine, participating in organised crime and possessing cocaine and meth for supply. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Scoop
Operation Round Up A Significant Blow To Hells Angels
Police have arrested and charged 19 members and associates of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Whanganui chapter today, in a huge blow to their stranglehold in the area. 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.
TimesLIVE
26-06-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Do you drink tap water at home?
Johannesburg has earned top marks for its drinking water quality, with the latest Blue Drop report classifying it as 'excellent' chemically and microbiologically. But even as the city shines, Gauteng's overall water quality scores are slipping, though they remain high compared with most of the rest of the country. Nationally, the picture is far more worrying. The 2024 Blue Drop report reveals that 46% of South Africa's drinking water supply is now classified as 'unacceptable', with a marked decline in water quality in numerous towns and cities over the past decade. Despite this, water treatment in many areas is still robust. Craig Sheridan, a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, explains how water is made safe: 'South Africa's water works are able to remove almost all chemicals such that the water is safe to drink. The water treatment works also disinfect the water, killing harmful bacteria and viruses. This is mainly done with chlorine. The residual chlorine travels with the water down the pipe to the reservoir and into your home, keeping the water pathogen free. 'This is why the water from taps sometimes smells a little like chlorine. This is a good thing. It means your water is safe.'
