Police have been granted a special warrant to crack down on gangs after a woman was shot in Ōpōtiki.
A police spokesperson said she arrived at the Ōpōtiki ambulance station on Saturday with a gunshot wound. She told police she had been injured when her car was shot at, and was then transported to Whakatāne Hospital in a serious condition.
It comes just a week after a man was arrested after allegedly shooting at a house in Ōpōtiki in what police described as a "gang-related" incident.
On Sunday police said the woman's shooting appears linked to ongoing conflict and tension between Black Power and Mongrel Mob in Ōpōtiki, and they are stepping up an operation to suppress gang-related violence.
They've now been issued a warrant under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation (CAIL) Act 2023 which gives them special search powers during times of gang conflict.
"The CAIL warrant issued to Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne Police gives officers the ability to search vehicles and places of suspected gang members, and occupants of those vehicles; and to seize firearms, weapons and vehicles," Acting Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Senior Sergeant Tristan Murray said.
"Police will continue to take all necessary measures to stamp out this behaviour and hold offenders to account and will be maintaining a highly visible presence across Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne."
People with information on anyone illegally possessing firearms and weapons can report this anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
