Greazy Dogs MC gang drug bust: Police seize $1.5m in assets
Police arrested several members and associates of the gang, and restrained more than $1.5 million in assets.
Thirty-five search warrants were carried out at properties across Tauranga on June 17 and 18, including at the Greazy Dogs MC pad.
Police said those arrested as a result of the warrants included "senior members" of the gang, "including the national vice president and the sergeant at arms".
Police Detective Inspector Albie Alexander said the arrests marked a successful culmination of a National Organised Crime Group operation which began in late 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT
"This operation – Operation Kingtide – identified the Greazy Dogs MC as controlling the methamphetamine supply across the western Bay of Plenty, through local manufacture."
(Source: New Zealand Police)
Police said firearms, ammunition, methamphetamine, chemicals and equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, cannabis and approximately $25,000 in cash was located during the searches.
"In addition, Police's Asset Recovery Unit has restrained more than $1.5 million of assets to date, including two residential properties, two cars and three motorcycles.
"Further search warrants are being carried out this week and more arrests and charges are likely."
(Source: New Zealand Police)
Alexander said he was "confident we have dealt a significant blow to the Greazy Dogs' methamphetamine operation, and the supply of methamphetamine in the Western Bay of Plenty".
ADVERTISEMENT
"Police will continue to focus on the enforcement and disruption of such criminal groups, who are dealing primarily in the sale and supply of methamphetamine into our most vulnerable communities."
Team present to support families
Police said a team from the Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities, or ROCC, was also present after the searches and seizures.
The team "takes a multi-agency approach to help address the social conditions that feed the emergence or growth of organised crime, and the harms that flow from it".
"Op Manawaroa (Resilience) has run alongside Operation Kingtide and is led by Bay of Plenty ROCC, with assistance from other ROCC regions including Eastern, Southern and Porirua."
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said the ROCC team visited homes after search warrants have been executed, "looking to engage and support families and whānau of those arrested".
'Our local ROCC team, with the support of other police harm prevention work groups, local agencies, iwi and community partners, will continue to work with families and whānau of those affected. This is a long-term approach to prevention and in response to mitigating and preventing further harm and offending.'
Five arrested and charged
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
20 year old killed in Hamilton brawl was celebrating his birthday
Police have said the 20-year-old killed after a brawl in Hamilton at the weekend was celebrating his upcoming birthday at the time. Locals near to the scene of a fatal brawl in Hamilton have voiced there concerns about safety in the area. Police have launched a homicide investigation after the young man's death which followed reports of a fight on Alexandra Street just after midnight on Sunday. Three others were also injured, some seriously, but they've since been discharged from hospital. Finn Blackwell reports. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Otago Daily Times
14 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Unique brass plaque goes missing in Rolleston
The plaque marking the site of the first rural Catholic parish has gone missing. Photo: Police A unique brass plaque has gone missing in Rolleston and police need your help to find it. The plaque disappeared from near the corner of Boundary and Shands Rds sometime before July 18. "If you've seen this plaque, or can assist in our enquiries, we'd love to get it back onto its memorial boulder where it belongs," police said in a statement. "Please call 105 or contact Police online at click 'Update Report', and use the reference number 250721/7184."
Scoop
14 hours ago
- Scoop
Cha-Ching: Police Seize Thousands Of Dollars In Fake Bills
Press Release – New Zealand Police Police landed the jackpot after taking a wad of counterfeit cash out of circulation in Auckland. Counties Manukau West's Enquiries Team have been investigating a spate of dodgy Facebook Marketplace purchases in recent months. 'Police have received reports of offending where a man would allegedly arrange to purchase items off the platform, and would request to pay in cash,' Sergeant Pam Dravitski says. 'There, the offender would allegedly use counterfeit cash to make the sale and take off with the goods.' An investigator has been collating similar reports, and following further enquiries it led Police to an Ōtara address late last week. 'While executing a search warrant, around $6,000 in counterfeit cash was located inside the property,' Sergeant Dravitski says. 'Police also located other equipment used to manufacture these notes.' A 26-year-old man was arrested at the time. At this stage in the investigation, he faces six charges of obtains by deception. Sergeant Dravitski says further detailed enquiries are ongoing, and further arrests or charges cannot be ruled out. 'Many of our local business associations regularly tell us about their members' frustrations with people making purchases using counterfeit money,' she says. 'We continue to try and get the message out when we experience a round of reports concerning people using fake notes.' Police will continue to hold those manufacturing and using counterfeit bank notes to account. CAN YOU SPOT A FAKE? – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has clear guidance outlining the security features of New Zealand bank notes on its website(link is external) – Security features are the same on all denominations – If you believe someone is trying to pass you a counterfeit note – do not accept it. – If you have already been given a note – put it in an envelope and contact Police – Report any offending to Police – online, via 105, or at a station – as soon as possible.
