Police have seized drugs, cash and vehicles in a major operation this morning which targeted a Head Hunters methamphetamine supply network in Wellington.
Police said 60 officers - including members of the armed offenders squad - were searching properties, following a lengthy investigation into a meth supply chain.
Police seized cannabis, methamphetamine, cash and vehicles from nine properties in Upper Hutt, Titahi Bay, Paekakariki and the Wairarapa.
Four men and one woman will appear in the Wellington District Court later today and face charges relating to dealing methamphetamine. Other charges relate to cannabis supply and cultivation, theft and aggravated robbery. Further charges are expected.
Today's operation specifically targeted the Head Hunters gang in the Wellington region.
Detective Sergeant Shane Rongonui, who led the operation, said the gang had a "formidable reputation for physical violence and intimidation, and for orchestrating methamphetamine production and supply in New Zealand.
"In the past three years police have restrained about $14 million in assets from this gang, and laid about 1700 charges against its patched members.
Over a third of the gang's members were on bail, remanded in custody or in prison.
