Stun Guns And Home-Made Explosive Found In Hawkes Bay Operation

New Zealand Police National News Release

Several stun guns, two sawn-off guns and a home-made explosive are amongst weapons found after Police raided 34 addresses throughout Hawkes Bay and Gisborne this morning.

Over 100 police were involved in searching addresses in Hastings, Napier, Gisborne and Wairoa as part of Operation Nacre. Police say all addresses are linked to the distribution of controlled drugs.

Detective Sergeant Warren Murdoch said Police had arrested 40 people during the morning and were expecting in excess of 50 arrests to be made as a result of the operation.

He said the discovery of eight stun guns, two sawn off shot-guns and a home-made explosive device at two of the addresses was of concern to Police.

"We are pleased that these weapons are now in Police hands rather than in the hands of people who could use them to cause serious harm."

Explosive specialists from Wellington were due to examine the explosive device in Napier this afternoon.

Police also found cannabis, cannabis oil and cash at other addresses.

Mr Murdoch said today was the culmination of seven months hard work by the team."

"It is also a continuation of the pressure we are exerting on organised crime in this district. We are focused on getting to their distribution networks and disabling them," Mr Murdoch said.

Eastern District Crime Services Manager, Detective Inspector Sam Aberahama, says Police are very pleased with the success of the operations.

"Eastern District Police are committed to reducing the effects that organised criminal activity is having on our communities."

"We are determined to continue putting pressure on gangs and their associates. If they choose to continue with this lifestyle they can be assured that Police will target them," Mr Aberahama says.

The operation is the second coordinated by the Hastings Police Organised Crime Unit in the past four months. In August Operation Oyster netted over 40 arrests, an indoor cannabis operation, quantities of cannabis, methamphetamine and a firearm.

A third similar operation, targeting the Wairoa Mongrel Mob, was executed in July. Seventeen gang members were arrested and charged with a variety of drug and firearms charges, including charges for possessing explosives and equipment used for the manufacture of methamphetamine.

He says information from the community led to some of the results achieved in today's operation.

"We would like to thank the public for their assistance and encourage people to call us if they have information in relation to organised criminal activity.

They can use the Crimeline 0800 567 789."

ENDS

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