A second major drug and stolen property operation in 24 hours has netted 25 people in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Twenty-six search warrants were carried out across the region on Tuesday and Wednesday which uncovered methamphetamine, cannabis, ecstasy, about $9000 cash, four firearms and stolen electrical equipment, operation head Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said.
Those arrested include gangsters from the Headhunters, Filthy Few, Mongrel Mob, Black Power and Nomads, all of whom will appear in Tauranga District Court over the coming week.
They face a range of charges including possession of drugs for supply, receiving stolen property and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Mr Turner said the operation, which is the third of its kind this year, highlighted the link between the distribution of illicit drugs, burglaries and the trade in stolen property.
"In recent months we have seen the development of several large-scale, sophisticated commercial burglary operations, which have been targeting highly marketable commodities such as cigarettes and phone cards. These are often exchanged for drugs and ultimately end up in the hands of criminal groups.
"In short, organised criminals are those groups or individuals who are earning a living from criminal activity. Their activities cause significant harm in our community which goes far beyond the individual drug user, and often translate into dishonesty offending, violence and intimidation."
More than 30 police were involved in the operation, assisted by nine Customs staff, two Immigration New Zealand officers and a collections officer from the Ministry of Justice. The Tauranga armed offenders squad was used to support a search warrant in Welcome Bay.
The raids follows a series of busts in Wellington yesterday also resulting in the arrests of 25 people.