Five members of "outlaw" motorcycle gangs have been arrested after police discovered a suspicious item at a property in Auckland's East Coast Bays on Wednesday morning.
Police were executing a search warrant at an address on Sunrise Avenue in Murrays Bay when they discovered the item, forcing the surrounding roads to be closed off and residents escorted out.
During the operation they found a number of items of interest including a revolver, ammunition and explosives.
On Thursday morning, Det Insp Kevin McNaughton confirmed five men aged 22, 23, 27, 31 and 33 had been arrested. They are all believed to be members of motorcycle gangs.
"All five men have been charged in relation to the unlawful possession of explosives," McNaughton said. "One has further been charged with unlawful possession of a pistol and ammunition."
The men are due to appear in the North Shore District Court on Thursday.
