Latest news with #MikeRickards
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Time of India
Major drug bust in Auckland: Police dismantle major drug operations in Kumeū region
New Zealand Police have dismantled multiple illicit drug operations in the Kumeū area of northwest Auckland, seizing nearly 400 kilograms of cannabis and 40 grams of cocaine , and arresting three individuals. Waitematā North area inspector Mike Rickards said local police have been targeting large cannabis operations run by Vietnamese organised criminal groups around the Kumeū area. Police uncovered a sophisticated cultivation setup containing 931 cannabis plants weighing approximately 237 kilograms. A nearby address yielded an additional 130 plants, totaling around 155 kilograms. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologista recomenda: simples truque elimina o fungo facilmente Acabe com os Fungo Undo Authorities also confiscated a substantial amount of cash and high-end equipment used in cannabis production. Two Vietnamese nationals, a 27-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, were arrested and have been remanded in custody on drug-related charges. In a separate operation on May 16, the Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit and Offender Prevention Team arrested a 36-year-old man associated with the Head Hunters motorcycle gang. The suspect attempted to dispose of illicit substances during the search. Police recovered 30 grams of cocaine and additional cannabis at the scene. The individual faces charges of possession for supply of cocaine and cannabis. Live Events Inspector Mike Rickards, Waitematā North Area Commander, emphasized the impact of these operations: "Our team's operations over the past week have in no doubt disrupted the illegal operation and prevented harm in our community. It will have had an impact on drug distribution across the Rodney area. We're really clear that we won't tolerate this in our community, and we'll continue to target these groups who are cashing in on their offending." New Zealand's recent crackdown on drug peddlers New Zealand's intensified crackdown on drug trafficking has led to significant arrests and seizures nationwide. A multi-agency investigation led to the arrest of 10 individuals and the seizure of over 6,800 cannabis plants in Auckland in December 2023, with several Vietnamese nationals facing deportation. Additionally, in 2022, the Head Hunters were implicated in a significant methamphetamine operation, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of drugs and firearms. The Head Hunters Motorcycle Club, established in Auckland in 1967, has a long-standing history of involvement in organized crime, including drug trafficking and money laundering. The gang maintains a national presence and has been linked to various criminal activities over the decades.
1News
23-05-2025
- 1News
Police bust several drug operations in Kumeū, northwest Auckland
Police have recovered 400kg of cannabis and 40g of cocaine from several drug operations running out of northwest Auckland over the past week. Three people have been arrested after police executed search warrants at large cannabis grow houses around Kumeū. Police said the operations were run by Vietnamese organised criminal groups. Warrants across two properties were carried out May 21 and May 16. Waitematā North Area Commander, Inspector Mike Rickards, said Kumeū and Helensville police staff conducted a search warrant on a Station Rd property on Wednesday. "At the property, we located 931 cannabis plants weighing 237 kilograms," Rickards said. On May 16, police discovered cocaine and "130 cannabis plants weighing up to 155 kilograms". "Inside, we also seized a large amount of cash as well as high-end equipment used in the manufacturing of cannabis," Rickards said. A 27-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man were arrested and remained in custody on drug offences. Also, on May 16, police arrested a 36-year-old Head Hunters associate after he allegedly tried to dispose of illicit drugs at an address being searched. Police discovered 30g of cocaine at the property, along with more cannabis. The man has been charged with possession for supply of cocaine and cannabis. "Our team's operations over the past week have in no doubt disrupted the illegal operation and prevented harm in our community," Rickards said. "It will have had an impact on drug distribution across the Rodney area."
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Scoop
Police Shut Down Drug Operations Across Kumeū
Press Release – New Zealand Police Hundreds of cannabis plants have been destroyed. Photo/Supplied. Search warrants conducted in Kumeh. Photo/Supplied. Plants located were of varying sizes. Photo/Supplied. Police have uprooted several illicit drug operations nestled amongst the community in Northwest Auckland. In the past week, Police have recovered nearly 400 kilograms of cannabis, 40 grams of cocaine and made three arrests. Waitematā North Area Commander, Inspector Mike Rickards says local Police have been targeting large cannabis grow house operations run by Vietnamese organised criminal groups around the Kumeū area. Warrants were terminated on Wednesday, 21 May, and 16 May at two properties. 'On Wednesday, our Kumeū and Helensville staff terminated a search warrant at a Station Road property where a sophisticated operation was uncovered. 'At the property, we located 931 cannabis plants weighing 237 kilograms.' Police also located a vast amount of equipment used to manufacture. It followed a previous warrant last Friday at a nearby address, where two Vietnamese nationals were arrested. Inspector Rickards says Police located 130 cannabis plants weighting up to 155 kilograms. 'Inside, we also seized a large amount of cash as well as high-end equipment used in the manufacturing of cannabis.' Cocaine was also located at the property. Two arrests were made, and a 27-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man have been remanded in custody on drugs offences. A third warrant was also conducted on 16 May, which resulted in a Head Hunters associate being arrested. 'The Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit and members of the Offender Prevention Team attended,' Inspector Rickards 'A 36-year-old man was arrested after he initially tried to dispose of illicit drugs at the address.' Police located 30 grams of cocaine as well as cannabis at the property. The man was arrested and has been charged with possession for supply of cocaine and cannabis. Inspector Rickards says Police are pleased with the outcome. 'Our team's operations over the past week have in no doubt disrupted the illegal operation and prevented harm in our community. 'It will have had an impact on drug distribution across the Rodney area. 'We're really clear that we won't tolerate this in our community, and we'll continue to target these groups who are cashing in on their offending.' Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Scoop
Police Shut Down Drug Operations Across Kumeū
Police have uprooted several illicit drug operations nestled amongst the community in Northwest Auckland. In the past week, Police have recovered nearly 400 kilograms of cannabis, 40 grams of cocaine and made three arrests. Waitematā North Area Commander, Inspector Mike Rickards says local Police have been targeting large cannabis grow house operations run by Vietnamese organised criminal groups around the Kumeū area. Warrants were terminated on Wednesday, 21 May, and 16 May at two properties. 'On Wednesday, our Kumeū and Helensville staff terminated a search warrant at a Station Road property where a sophisticated operation was uncovered. 'At the property, we located 931 cannabis plants weighing 237 kilograms.' Police also located a vast amount of equipment used to manufacture. It followed a previous warrant last Friday at a nearby address, where two Vietnamese nationals were arrested. Inspector Rickards says Police located 130 cannabis plants weighting up to 155 kilograms. 'Inside, we also seized a large amount of cash as well as high-end equipment used in the manufacturing of cannabis.' Cocaine was also located at the property. Two arrests were made, and a 27-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man have been remanded in custody on drugs offences. A third warrant was also conducted on 16 May, which resulted in a Head Hunters associate being arrested. 'The Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit and members of the Offender Prevention Team attended,' Inspector Rickards 'A 36-year-old man was arrested after he initially tried to dispose of illicit drugs at the address.' Police located 30 grams of cocaine as well as cannabis at the property. The man was arrested and has been charged with possession for supply of cocaine and cannabis. Inspector Rickards says Police are pleased with the outcome. 'Our team's operations over the past week have in no doubt disrupted the illegal operation and prevented harm in our community. 'It will have had an impact on drug distribution across the Rodney area. 'We're really clear that we won't tolerate this in our community, and we'll continue to target these groups who are cashing in on their offending.'
