Police in Northland have uncovered an "Aladdin's cave" of stolen goods including drugs, guns, jet skis and an excavator.
The startling discovery was during a search warrant in relation to Operation Tauwhiro. Operation Tauwhiro was launched by police in February and focuses on disrupting firearms-related violence by gangs.
The stolen property, which was estimated to be worth more than $200,000, included methamphetamine, five shotguns, two rifles, a Mercedes Benz sedan, a Hino flat deck commercial truck, two stolen jet skis and an excavator.
A 45-year-old gang associate was arrested and is facing a raft of charges including possession of methamphetamine for supply, possession of cannabis for supply, unlawful possession of a pistol, unlawful possession of ammunition and multiple charges of receiving property. He is currently before the Whangārei District Court.
Northland Organised Crime Unit acting detective inspector Kevan Verry said the investigation is ongoing and police aren't ruling out future charges.
Verry said this is the second warrant carried out recently as part of an investigation into gang members with guns.
In March, a 58-year-old man was charged with unlawful possession of firearms and receiving property after two guns, a stolen car and a drug lab were found at an address on State Highway 14 near Whangārei.
"We want to disrupt organised crime groups and the harm their actions cause to our communities," Verry said.
"The social impact cannot be underestimated, and police will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach."
Police welcome information from anyone who has concerns about organised crime, or the illegal possession of firearms in their community.
They are encouraged to report online at 105.police.govt.nz, call Police on 105, or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org.
