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Police Operation Near Kaitaia Impounds Vehicles And Seizes Firearms
Police have seized firearms and located vehicles as part of a wider investigation monitoring movements of gang members in the Far North in recent days.
A visible operation has played out across the region as gang members were travelling for a tangi at a Marae near Awanui on Tuesday.
One man faced the Kaitaia District Court and has been remanded in custody, while further Police enforcement will continue.
A Police investigation has been underway since Saturday night, which included reports of poor driver behaviour and a firearm being discharged from a vehicle.
In that incident, the firearm was discharged from a vehicle but not towards an individual.
Northland District Commander, Superintendent Matt Srhoj says there were no significant concerns surrounding Tuesday’s events.
“Numerous road policing checkpoints were carried out following the tangi on Tuesday, in which several vehicles of interest attempted to pass through.
“These were vehicles we were seeking in connection with the offending detected on Saturday night.
“Three vehicles were promptly impounded, and our enquiries continue.”
Interest peaked on discovering shotgun casings inside one vehicle.
“Several search warrants were executed as a result of this, including one Kaitaia address where three rifles, a shotgun and a semi-automatic rifle were located,” Superintendent Srhoj says.
“Cannabis was also seized from the address, which resulted in a 34-year-old man being charged.”
The Kaitaia man faces five charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession for supply of cannabis.
Superintendent Srhoj says enquiries will continue into Saturday’s events with a view to hold further offending to account.
“There is a way to respectfully grieve the loss of someone, and that does not include putting the wider public’s safety at risk,” Superintendent Srhoj says.
“I would like to acknowledge our Far North team who have been visible and well-planned throughout.
“We have had a range of staff involved from our public safety team, road policing, investigations as well as the Gang Disruption Unit.”
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