Title: OFCANZ leads its first strike against organised crime

The Organised & Financial Crime Agency New Zealand (OFCANZ) terminated the operational phase of its first taskforce today.

In a series of raids carried out in Northland this morning, members of the Tribesmen Motorcycle Gang and their associates were the subject of search warrants and arrests. Further arrests are expected later today.

Acting director of OFCANZ, Detective Superintendent Brett Kane says he anticipates around 14 people will be arrested by the time the operation termination is complete. They will face some 160 charges in relation to selling, supplying and conspiracy to supply and manufacture methamphetamine.

As part of the same termination addresses and arrests were also made in Auckland.

Over 100 personnel from a number of enforcement agencies were involved in today's operation including asset recovery and proceeds of crime specialists and SFO staff.

"There is still a lot of ongoing work to be done in terms of asset recovery but we are confident that what we have done today will seriously disrupt organised crime activities in Northland."

Taskforce Abyss was run under the umbrella of OFCANZ and today's activity was a result of the joint efforts of:

* NZ Police
* NZ Customs Service
* Ministry of Fisheries
* Department of Corrections
* Ministry of Social Development
* Serious Fraud Office

"What we have seen today is the result of a new way of working together to combat organised crime in New Zealand," said Detective Superintendent Kane.

"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of our first taskforce and we believe it demonstrates the tangible benefits of agencies working collaboratively at an operational level."

OFCANZ is particularly grateful to the cooperation and work of the Northland Police District in respect of this taskforce.

The OFCANZ mandate is to dismantle and disrupt those groups in our communities that are making profit through organised criminal activities. This operation demonstrates that OFCANZ is targeting the top end of organised criminal activity, gangs and methamphetamine.

"OFCANZ looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with its partners in making New Zealand a far more hostile environment for organised crime groups.

ENDS

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