Sixty-seven illicit firearms were seized across the country in a weeklong Trans-Tasman crackdown involving Australian and New Zealand agencies.
Thousands of firearm parts and 3D printed firearm parts were also seized as part of enforcement activity.
The joint effort, dubbed Operation Athena, resulted in the reduced availability of illicit firearms in the community through detection, disruption and enforcement, Detective Inspector Albie Alexander, of the National Organised Crime Group says.
"Thirty-nine people were arrested on this side of the Tasman, with 159 charges laid between them for criminal offences," he says.
More than 200 search warrants were executed overall, with 31 of those being in New Zealand, between 19 and 25 October.
Detective Inspector Alexander says agencies worked together to monitor real-time intelligence and assessments to target persons of interest.
"The contribution from across the country, from all of our Police districts and partner agencies, has led to a successful week of disrupting criminals in possession of illegal firearms and provides a real time example of the benefits of utilising our intelligence-led approach to target those in possession of illegal firearms, parts or accessories."
That enforcement looked like:
- 39 arrests, 159 charges
- 67 firearms seized (which included 3DPF's)
- 88 firearm parts seized, and 1489 3DPF parts seized
- 31 search warrants executed
BREAKING DOWN OPERATION ATHENA...
Eastern District: An 'explosive discovery' in Hastings
It was an explosive discovery for Police executing a search warrant in Hastings, with the discovery of potentially explosive chemicals and what appeared to be a partially-built pipe bomb.
Officers also located live ammunition, spent rounds, and a bolt action rifle at the property in Raureka on 20 October.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kris Payne says on arrival, officers located a bolt action Tikka 7mm rifle, and ammunition including a Sako REM 7mm round, another 7mm round, and three rounds from a Winchester .308.
Forty spent rounds were also allegedly located at the property.
Detective Senior Sergeant Payne says: "On further concern was what officers found next - a box containing several potentially volatile chemicals.
"When chemicals are sealed within a container, the resulting build-up of heat, gas, and pressure can cause a violent explosion."
Also located was a white-taped cylinder approximately 20cm long, containing a chemical mixture, reportedly the makings of a pipe bomb.
"This is incredibly dangerous, and had the potential to cause great harm," Detective Senior Sergeant Payne says.
"It's fortunate we were able to locate and safely collect this material, which could have caused huge damage."
A 21-year-old man was arrested at the scene and is due to reappear in Hastings District Court on 10 November, charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of explosives, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Northland District: Firearms out of the community
Northland's Organised Crime Unit had several successes in locating firearms involved in recent offences across the district.
Police had been investigating a firearms burglary in Kerikeri earlier in the week.
Detective Senior Sergeant Aaron Crawford says the officer in charge of the case had information the suspect was travelling through Wellsford on the morning of 23 October.
Police tactical staff, with the Police Eagle helicopter overhead, were deployed into the area.
The 30-year-old man was arrested without incident.
"Concerningly, a shotgun that was allegedly stolen in that burglary was on the backseat of the vehicle he was travelling in at the time of his arrest," Detective Senior Sergeant Crawford says.
"This is a win for our community to have a stolen firearm out of circulation in the community."
The man faces several burglary and firearms offences and has been remanded in custody to reappear in the Kaikohe District Court next month.
Meanwhile in the Far North, detectives and the Police detector dog Ripper were on the hunt for illicit firearms in Kaeo, allegedly used in a firearms incident last month.
Two men had already been charged over the 22 September incident in Kaeo.
"We were acting on information the firearms had been hidden in the bush area on a rural property, and thanks to Ripper and her handler they were found some distance away from the main dwelling and well concealed," Detective Senior Sergeant Crawford says.
Police located an actioned Norinco M14 .308n semi-auto rifle, and an actioned 12-gauge single barrel shotgun.
"It's fantastic these two firearms have been seized and are no longer in the community."
Detective Senior Sergeant Crawford continues to encourage the community to provide information.
"Locals will know about people who are in possession of firearms illegally. We want to hear about this so we can remove this risk from the community.
"I strongly encourage you to come forward, and there are a range of ways to report information to us. This includes contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously. Let us know, and we'll take care of it."
