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A loaded pistol was found in a backpack inside a child's bedroom as police searched homes across Northland and Auckland in a crackdown on methamphetamine manufacture and supply.
Operation Phoenix was led by the National Organised Crime Group with assistance from Northland Police.
Detective Superintendent Greg Williams, director of the National Organised Crime Group Operation, said during the raids in the Far North, nine guns were found, including a loaded pistol inside a backpack in the bedroom of a child.
"It's concerning to see that occurring."
The operation began in August 2025, and focused on people engaged in the sale and supply of methamphetamine, Williams said.
Four weeks in Northland had resulted in 37 warrants and 21 arrests, he said. Since then 34 search warrants were done primarily in the Kaitaia area.
Fourteen people had been charged overall at this stage, Williams said.
That operation was supported by 70 police officers coming up from Auckland and 21 staff out of Northland.
Police found chemicals related to clan labs, guns and methamphetamine, Williams said.
Those involved had links to the Tribesmen, Williams said and the Head Hunters.
"Manufacturing of meth still occurs in this country. We think some of the methampehtamime coming in internationally is not that great so we've seen a surge of production in this country."
The particular group in the Far North had been manufacturing methamphetamine themselves and selling it to the local community.
Williams said the nexus for methamphetamine was Auckland and that was where police saw a lot of money laundering.
"We've seen plenty of examples of a connection between Northland and the Auckland gangs."
Northland Superintendent Matthew Srhoj said anyone who needed support with a methamphetamine addiction could contact Te Ara Oranga, a methamphetamine harm reduction team in Northland or email police at methharmreductionteam@police.govt.nz.
"The community has said they're not going to accept this kind of behaviour.
"A lot of information and knowledge about who these people are sits within the community we encourage them to come forward. The community are the eyes and ears."
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz |  |