Canterbury police have arrested a man and seized drugs and ammunition following a planned raid at a gang headquarters in Christchurch.
Police executed the search warrant at a known gang address in Burnham on Wednesday morning that is believed to be the headquarters of the Mongols MC gang.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Johnson said in a statement a 34-year-old has been charged with a range of cannabis-related offences and an ammunition possession charge.
"He appeared in the Christchurch District Court this afternoon."
Snr Sgt Johnson added that police have warned that their efforts to disrupt unlawful gang activity are being ramped up across the motu.
"That means working hard to ensure we keep our community safe, and police will continue to actively target those involved in criminal activity."
AM reporter Mitch Redman said earlier on Wednesday that there was a large police presence in the area and armed officers were standing guard at the headquarters entrance.
Cracking down on New Zealand's gangs is currently a central political topic amid a crime wave that's gripping the country, particularly in Auckland. The National Party wants gang patches banned but the Government has rejected the idea.
The Government, instead, was willing to work to accelerate the passing of Firearms Prohibitions Orders (FPOs) legislation through Parliament, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told AM earlier this month.
Police are encouraging those with information or who have concerns about organised crime to contact police on 105 or report online at 105.police.govt.nz
