Four Kaitangata men caught in a police poaching sting were
last night trespassed from several forests between Te Anau
and Ashburton.
The men were found in Rankleburn Forest, near Tapanui, where
five police from Balclutha and Lawrence confiscated a vehicle
and .303 rifles belonging to the men.
Detective Sergeant Kate Bartlett, of Balclutha, said the men
"have been issued with a blanket trespass notice", one man
could be charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, and
police were seeking to have the remaining firearms licences
revoked.
Operation Poacher was a combined effort between herself and
Detective Wayne O'Connell, of Mosgiel, which began last year
when police identified the same problems occurring in each
area, Det Sgt Bartlett said.
"This initiative was developed after police noted that there
was an increase in theft, wilful damage and firearms offences
in local forestry areas.
"On closer inspection, [we] found it was the same people.
"We got together and developed Operation Poacher."
Following a meeting with forestry managers, police now have
the authority to trespass people from all major forests, and
are looking to include local farmers in the partnership, Det
Sgt Bartlett said.
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