Thousands of dollars worth of stolen items have been recovered and several arrests made after search warrants were carried out in the Whāngarei area.
Whangārei area investigations manager detective senior sergeant Rob Huys said in a statement: "Police have also executed five search warrants, resulting in the recovery of stolen clothing, jewellery, and a jet ski worth approximately $30,000 which was recovered as its owner was in the process of reporting it stolen."
Northland police made the arrests as part of what they say is an intense focus on ram raids and youth-related crime in the area.
"To date,10 people, the majority with Crips gang associations, have been arrested on 32 charges including burglary, unlawful possession of ammunition and demanding with intent to rob.
"A further five people have been referred to Youth Aid in relation to commercial burglaries and dishonesty-related offences," detective senior sergeant Rob Huys said in a statement.
Det Snr Sgt Huys said the investigation is ongoing and police can not rule out any further charges being laid.
"Police continue to step up enforcement and the disruption of unlawful gang activity across the country as Operation Cobalt rolls out.
"Our message to those involved is clear — we have zero tolerance for any violence, gang, and drug activities."
Police encourage anyone with any relevant information to come forward and report it.
"We rely on the public and whanau to be our eyes and ears, and Police ask anyone who sees any suspicious activity to report it to us, as it helps make Northland a safer place to live," Det Snr Sgt Huys said.
