Statement to be attributed to Wairoa Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Maui Aben:
Three early morning search warrants in Wairoa today saw the location and seizure of further firearms.
The warrants, two in Frasertown and one in Wairoa, were executed at Black Power-linked residential properties.
Four sawn-off .22 rifles were located along with ammunition, methamphetamine, and cannabis.
A 34-year-old Black Power Frasertown gang member was taken into custody and will face firearms and drug-related charges.
He is due to appear in the Gisborne District Court tomorrow.
Enquiries are ongoing to locate others believed to linked to these firearms.
The momentum behind Operation Atlas is continuing and we are heartened by the feedback and support we are receiving from our Wairoa community.
What we are working towards is a place where these people's activities are not putting our community in harm's way.
Today's warrants were led by Wairoa Investigations staff, supported by the Wairoa Public Safety Team, Road Policing, and rural staff, with assistance from Gisborne and Hawke's Bay Gang Focus Units, Armed Offender Squads, Public Safety Team, and the Eastern Dog Section.
We continue to encourage members of the public with information or concerns that can assist the Operation Atlas team to come forward.
This information can be provided via 105 quoting Operation Atlas/ File number - 210616/4442.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Operation Atlas is a multi-faceted police response focussing on the disruption and prevention of organised crime and gang-related offending across the Eastern Police district, with a current focus on the wider Wairoa area.
