Police have arrested members of several different gangs this month, with one man facing 20 charges involving armed robbery and possession of firearms and drugs.
Some of the items seized from a property in Te Atatū. Photo: Supplied / NZ police
Operation Cobalt has resulted in firearms and drugs being removed from the community in increasing volumes as it focuses on illegal gang activity, police said in a statement.
In the process, police have made several arrests of gang members or prospects from King Cobra, Killer Beez and Head Hunters in Auckland.
The most serious case was the result of a search warrant being executed at a patched Head Hunter's address in Te Atatū.
A 30-year-old man at the property was a person of interest in an inquiry into an aggravated robbery that occurred in May, where a vehicle was stolen from a Mt Roskill address.
"A considerable number of items of interest were located during a search of the address, including gang paraphernalia," Detective Inspector Aaron Proctor said.
"Two prohibited firearms were also seized, including a loaded MSSA [a military-style semi-automatic weapon]."
A rifle, a quantity of ammunition, along with cannabis and cocaine were also found at the property.
Police also found nearly $7000 in cash as well as the vehicle that they allege had been stolen.
The 30-year-old is facing 20 charges in the Auckland District Court for serious offences, including aggravated robbery, two counts of possession of a restricted firearm, possession of cocaine for supply as well as other charges for drugs, firearms and dishonesty offences.
Drugs offences
Two warrants were executed in Manurewa and Ōtara after police received reports of drug dealing taking place, Proctor said.
At an address in Ōtara, police found nearly half a kilogram of cannabis as well as thousands of dollars in cash.
The items recovered from a property in Ōtara. Photo: Supplied / NZ police
A Tribesman patch was also found and seized by police.
A 25-year-old is facing a charge of possession of cannabis for supply and is before the Manukau District Court.
In Manurewa, police seized up to $12,000 worth of cannabis at a property along with a pistol.
The 25-year-old King Cobra prospect at the address is facing a possession for supply charge over the find.
He is also facing shoplifting charges in relation to other matters.
The bags of cannabis found at a Manurewa address. Photo: Supplied / NZ police
Charges laid over rifles
Operation Cobalt assisted other police staff in responding to a firearms incident in Papakura on 7 July.
While other police staff arrested the alleged offender, Operation Cobalt members carried out a search of the address.
Three rifles were found, one of which was identified as being stolen in a burglary four years ago.
A 43-year-old man, a patched Head Hunter, was arrested and charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
The three rifles seized at the Papakura property. Photo: Supplied / NZ police
Police also searched a Flat Bush address where a firearms incident occurred earlier this year.
In late May they found 100 rounds of ammunition at the property.
"At the time the occupants were not located at the address,"Proctor said.
"During this month's search warrant, Operation Cobalt staff arrested a 31-year-old man, who has connections to the Killer Beez."
He has been charged with unlawful possession of the ammunition.
He is also facing drugs charges in relation to more than a kilogram of cannabis found in a vehicle at the address.
Police getting results - operation head
"Operation Cobalt is focused on holding people to account for their actions," Proctor said.
"With a heightened focus on illegal activity and other incidents that involved the use of violence and firearms in our community, we are identifying more offenders with alleged connections to gangs and are seeing prosecution action as a result."
Proctor said police were sending a clear message.
"Our focus is on reducing the prevalence of this sort of behaviour and those who are choosing to engage themselves in this should expect to come to our attention."
