Hawke’s Bay gang crackdown: Nine arrested, 17 guns and drugs seized
Guns seized by police during Operation Tar in Hawke's Bay.
Drugs, cash and firearms have landed nine people across Hawke’s Bay in court, with more arrests likely, according to police.
Operation Tar, an investigation led by the police’s Gang Disruption Unit with support from the National Organised Crime Group, carried out search warrants and seized drugs, firearms and cash.
During the operation, police located 17 firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, more than $30,000 in cash, approximately 4kg of cannabis, and 15g of methamphetamine.
Seven DNA compulsion orders were served, a drug testing morning was undertaken for people on bail and Wanted to Arrest enforcement action was taken.
A further nine people had been arrested and face a range of charges, including drug dealing and firearms offences.
A police spokesperson said further arrests are likely.
Detective Inspector James Keene said the operation focused on both enforcement and prevention.
“Our aim is not only to disrupt organised criminal activity, but to reduce the harm it causes to whānau and communities.”
The operation involved Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC), a police-led, multi‑agency initiative designed to disrupt the influence of organised crime.
“Operations like this demonstrate the value of a joined-up approach,” Detective Inspector Keene said.
“Ninety-six per cent of whānau engaged by the ROCC team chose to take up support.
At the same time, a team identified whānau affected by the offending and connected them with agencies able to provide support aimed at addressing the underlying issues and vulnerabilities that contribute to ongoing harm.
“We know the impact of gang-related offending often extends well beyond the immediate criminal activity,” Keene said.
“We know that methamphetamine addiction continues to harm individuals, whānau and communities.
“Alongside enforcement, we worked to identify people and whānau who had been affected and linked them with the support they need.”