Latest news with #MikeBowman
RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
One found dead, one seriously injured in boat on Lake Manapouri
The missing boat was found shortly after midnight at in Safe Cove on Lake Manapouri Photo: One man was found dead and another was seriously injured when police located a boat that had failed to return from a fishing trip on Lake Manapouri overnight. Southern Area Commander Inspector Mike Bowman said police are investigating what happened before the pair was discovered. He said the alarm was raised about 7:20pm on Sunday night, when two experienced fishers failed to return from a fishing trip on the lake, and also failed to check in on the radio. Bowman said a local helicopter was used to search for the boat, and it was found with the two men on board about 12:30am in Safe Cove. "One was deceased, and the other was in serious condition and treated at hospital where he is recovering well," said Bowman. Bowman said enquiries will be made by police on behalf of the coroner. "Police's sincere condolences go out to their family and loved ones." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
18-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Three arrested after routine bail check
PHOTO: ODT FILES Following their noses at a bail check led to Invercargill police sniffing out three arrests, drugs, drug paraphernalia and thousands of dollars in cash. Police said in a statement yesterday that officers were conducting a routine bail check at an Invercargill address shortly after midnight, and when an occupant of the address opened the door, officers were met with a strong smell of cannabis. A warrantless search was then initiated under the Search and Surveillance Act 2012. Police located drug utensils, a knuckleduster, small quantities of cannabis and methamphetamine and about $12,000 in cash. Southland area commander Inspector Mike Bowman said this was excellent work by his staff and proved the value of routine police work like bail checks. The three men — aged 28, 29 and 45 — have been arrested on driving, weapons and drug charges. Further inquiries are continuing. — APL
Scoop
18-07-2025
- Scoop
Bail Check In Invercargill Leads To Significant Arrests
Following their noses at a bail check led to Invercargill Police sniffing out three arrests, drugs and drug paraphernalia, and thousands of dollars in cash. Officers were conducting a routine bail check at an Invercargill address shortly after midnight, and when an occupant of the address opened the door, officers were met with a strong smell of cannabis. A warrantless search was then initiated under the Search and Surveillance Act 2012. As a result of the search Police located drug utensils, a knuckleduster, small quantities of cannabis and methamphetamine, and around $12,000 in cash. Inspector Mike Bowman, Southland Area Commander, says this was excellent work by his staff and proves the value of routine police work like bail checks. 'This started as a routine visit to a property for a bail check, but resulted in the arrest of two gang members and a gang prospect. 'To recover the drugs and other items as well is a real bonus, and a reminder to those who commit offences that Police will hold you to account.' The three men - aged 28, 29 and 45 years old - have been arrested on driving, weapons, and drug charges. Further enquiries are continuing.
Otago Daily Times
18-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Police sniff out trouble at Invercargill address
Three people have been arrested after police followed their noses during a routine bail check in Invercargill. Southland Area Commander, Inspector Mike Bowman, said officers were conducting a routine bail check shortly after midnight, and when an occupant of the address opened the door, officers were met with a strong smell of cannabis. A warrantless search was then initiated under the Search and Surveillance Act 2012. As a result of the search Police located drug utensils, a knuckleduster, small quantities of cannabis and methamphetamine, and around $12,000 in cash. Insp Bowman praised the officers involved and said it proved the value of routine police work like bail checks. "This started as a routine visit to a property for a bail check, but resulted in the arrest of two gang members and a gang prospect. "To recover the drugs and other items as well is a real bonus, and a reminder to those who commit offences that police will hold you to account," Insp Bowman said. The three men - aged 28, 29 and 45 years old - were arrested on driving, weapons, and drug charges. Further enquiries are continuing.
1News
13-06-2025
- 1News
Nearly 500 guns seized in one of NZ's largest firearms busts
Nearly 500 firearms have been seized from a property in Southland in a discovery police described as "shocking" and one of the largest seizures of weaponry in New Zealand's history. The bust, which occurred in Gore earlier this month, was "by far" the largest to ever occur in Southland, said Area Commander Inspector Mike Bowman. "It's shocking to see so many firearms unsecured… the scale of it is concerning." Red flags were raised with officials due to the man's purchasing history, Bowman said. "Through the Firearms Registry, the Firearms Safety Authority was able to establish the man had purchased multiple firearms since 2023 — and not all were registered as they should have been after purchase." ADVERTISEMENT Bowman said, in buying a firearm, the man was required to register old firearms already in his possession. "We allege that did not happen." The man's purchase history raised red flags with officials. (Source: NZ Police) These concerns led officers to the man's home in Gore on June 6 to serve a notice of temporary suspension. This order allowed police to retain a firearms licence holder's licence and uplift any firearm's in their possession. In total, 478 firearms were seized, including five pistols, some that may be prohibited firearms, and some that may be restricted weapons for which the man was not licensed. Significant quantities of ammunition and firearm parts were also recovered. Just six of the 478 weapons were registered in the man's name. While some were locked in safes, a large number were unsecured. ADVERTISEMENT Multiple police vehicles were required to transport the firearms from the property. The firearms, ammunition, and parts would be held securely until the investigation and any subsequent legal action were completed. "It's still early days in the investigation and we have a lot of work to do before we get to that point," Bowman said. Firearms registry credited in seizure Firearms Safety Authority executive director Angela Brazier said the case highlighted the value of the Firearms Registry. "Information shared by police enabled us to quickly suspend the man's licence for failing to comply with his registry obligations. Once his licence was suspended, police could rapidly respond to remove this considerable number of unlawfully held firearms." Brazier pointed out the majority of firearms licence holders were "good law-abiding people". "The review of the Firearms Registry released in May confirmed that diversion of firearms to the black market remains a threat to public safety and the registry mitigates that risk. ADVERTISEMENT "I acknowledge all licence holders who have filled in the registry and are doing their bit to make it harder for criminals and other unlicensed people to access firearms." There were more than 86,000 active licence holders registered, or around 38% of active licence holders. Around 29% of those did so proactively without waiting for a legal requirement. More than 425,000 firearms were currently listed in the registry.
