Five search warrants were executed across Central Hawke\u2019s Bay and Hastings yesterday. <\/p>\n
Police seized an amount of methamphetamine, cash, a 3D printed firearm and stolen property, resulting in three arrests.<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday we targeted a small number of offenders, all in or connected to local gangs, who we believe are pumping drugs into the area,\u201d Keene said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMethamphetamine is a massive driver of harm and victimisation, and the gangs who are peddling it aren\u2019t worried about the damage they\u2019re inflicting.<\/p>\n
\u201cOperation Tukutuki had been in the works for six months and specialist teams had spent hours upon hours working to track the network of offenders funnelling meth into the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keene said police went in hard and early because the element of surprise was vital, especially when organised crime networks were involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeveral warrants were executed simultaneously to reduce the people in this network tipping others off,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re continuing to investigate, and we expect to lay more charges against the people who have been arrested. We also cannot rule out further arrests.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three men aged 39, 42, and 57, two of whom are patched Mongrel Mob members and the other a Mongrel Mob associate, appeared in the Hastings District Court yesterday. <\/p>\n
They faced multiple charges of possession for supply, supply, and conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and cannabis.<\/p>\n
The 39-year-old man was remanded in custody to reappear in the Waipukurau District Court on January 12. <\/p>\n
The 42-year-old man was remanded in custody to reappear in the Hastings District Court on December 19, while the 57-year-old man was remanded in custody to reappear in Hastings on December 23.<\/p>\n