Firearms And Knuckle Duster Seized As Police Monitor Gang Procession
Inspector Nicky Cooney, Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander:
Police have maintained a visible presence
in Whakatane today and 15 people
have been arrested as
Police monitor a tangi procession.
Of those arrested,
14 are either associated with or are patched members
of
gangs.
Some of the arrests made were executed
using the Search and Surveillance Act
through gang
conflict warrants.
As well as arrests made, a variety
of weapons were seized in relation to the
warrant
including:
• Cut down Ruger Semi-automatic .22
rifle.
• Cut down Rossi Semi-automatic .22
rifle.
• Knuckle Duster
• 2 machetes
• 1
Axe
• Variety of Knives
• Variety of
Ammunition
Three people were arrested on warrants to
arrest after previously failing to
appear in
court.
Four people have been arrested for unlawful
possession of firearms and
ammunition.
Other charges
include: Breaching of release conditions, Failing to stop
for
Police, Possession of drugs, Dangerous driving and
Driving while
disqualified.
Police also seized six motorcycles.
The Police Eagle helicopter is in
Whakatane to assist Police on the ground.
Police
acknowledge those wanting to pay their respects at the
tangi, however,
unlawful activity will not be tolerated,
and will not hesitate to hold those
people to
account.
There will continue to be a Police presence
in the area into tomorrow, and we
will also be following
up any incidents of unlawful behaviour after the
fact.