Latest news with #OperationRoundUp
1News
15-07-2025
- 1News
'Huge blow': 19 arrests, $2.5m of assets seized from Hells Angels
Nineteen Hells Angels members and their associates have been arrested and nearly $2.5 million in assets have been seized in a "huge blow" to the motorcycle club's Whanganui chapter, police say. The arrests were made after police – with assistance from the armed offenders squad and the special tactics group – carried out 30 searches on properties and vehicles across Whanganui, Auckland, Palmerston North and Hastings this morning. Seventeen men and two women have been charged – including the president, vice-president, and sergeant at arms, Detective Inspector Craig Sheridan said. "During the warrants across the North Island, items seized included five firearms, a brick of cocaine, $7000 cash, and around 10 ounces of meth." A further five motorcycles, seven vehicles, three properties, two jet skis, and around $108,000 cash have been restrained by the police's Central Asset Recovery Unit. ADVERTISEMENT (Source: New Zealand Police) Sheridan said it was a significant blow to the gang, which has had an entrenched presence in the Whanganui community for decades. "The assets restrained are believed to be the proceeds of crime, and anyone profiting from the sale of illicit drugs can expect to see their assets restrained or forfeited. "We will continue to use all available tools to disrupt criminal organisations who profit from this offending, and from the harm caused by illicit drugs in our community." (Source: New Zealand Police) The arrests were made as part of Operation Round Up, which began in March 2024 and was spearheaded by the central district organised crime unit. Police said further arrests and charges cannot be ruled out. ADVERTISEMENT 'The generational harm they have caused is significant' Whanganui area commander inspector Neil Forlong said the arrest of so many leaders of the Hells Angels will have a huge impact on the community. 'This gang has been a part of the fabric of Whanganui for years, and the generational harm they have caused is significant," he said. 'The very fact this gang has been part of so many lives means we need also to take care of those who have relied on the gang's activities for so long – partners, children, now all need support.' Police said local agencies will help assist whanau and loved ones impacted by these arrests, to ensure they have support moving forward. Forlong added local iwi leadership has spoken to him about introducing a meth harm reduction programme in Whanganui, which police would be supportive of. Police said all those arrested have appeared today or are appearing in court in coming days, in Whanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings, and Tamaki Makaurau.
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Scoop
Operation Round Up A Significant Blow To Hells Angels
Press Release – New Zealand Police Operation Round Up has seen nearly $2.5 million worth of assets seized as Police executed around 30 search warrants on properties and vehicles this morning. Police have arrested and charged 19 members and associates of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Whanganui chapter today, in a huge blow to their stranglehold in the area. Operation Round Up has seen nearly $2.5 million worth of assets seized as Police executed around 30 search warrants on properties and vehicles this morning. The search warrants were executed in Whanganui, Auckland, Palmerston North, and Hastings, assisted by the Armed Offenders Squad and Special Tactics Group. During the warrants across the North Island, items seized included five firearms, a brick of cocaine, $7,000 cash, and around 10 ounces of meth. Seventeen men and 2 women have been charged, including the president, vice-president, and sergeant at arms. Detective Inspector Craig Sheridan says this is a significant blow to the gang, which has had an entrenched presence in the Whanganui community for decades. As part of enforcement activity, Police's Central Asset Recovery Unit has restrained five motorcycles, seven vehicles, three properties, two jet skis, and around $108,000 cash. Detective Inspector Sheridan says the operation has been spearheaded by Central District Organised Crime Unit, in an all-of-Police approach to tackling gang harm. Staff from several workgroups and locations have worked as one to obtain these results, he says. 'The assets restrained are believed to be the proceeds of crime, and anyone profiting from the sale of illicit drugs can expect to see their assets restrained or forfeited. 'We will continue to use all available tools to disrupt criminal organisations who profit from this offending, and from the harm caused by illicit drugs in our community,' Detective Inspector Sheridan says. The operation began in March 2024 and has involved hours of planning, resources, and work by a number of Police staff. Police cannot rule out further arrests and charges. Whanganui Area Commander Inspector Neil Forlong says the arrest of so many leaders of the Hells Angels will have a huge impact on the community. 'This gang has been a part of the fabric of Whanganui for years, and the generational harm they have caused is significant.' However, it is important to remember what comes next, once gang leaders have been arrested. 'The very fact this gang has been part of so many lives means we need also to take care of those who have relied on the gang's activities for so long – partners, children, now all need support.' Local agencies will help assist whanau and loved ones impacted by these arrests, to ensure they have support moving forward. Inspector Forlong says local iwi leadership has spoken to him about introducing a meth harm reduction programme in Whanganui, which Police would be supportive of. All those arrested have appeared today or are appearing in court in coming days, in Whanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings, and courts in Tamaki Makaurau. SIGNIFICANT ARRESTS A 35 year old Whanganui man, and a 35 year old Whanganui woman are each charged with: 3x Importing cocaine 4x Importing methamphetamine 3x Possession of meth for supply Possession of cocaine for supply Conspiracy to supply methamphetamine Participating in an organised criminal group. A 30 year old Whanganui man is charged with: 3x Importing cocaine Importing methamphetamine Conspiracy to supply methamphetamine 2x Possession of meth for supply 2x Possession of cocaine for supply Supplying cocaine Participation in an organised criminal group.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grants totaling over $8K given to Pike County organizations
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The WIN Energy REMC Community Trust recently presented three grants totaling $8,758 to some Pike County organizations. The WIN Energy REMC Community Trust presented grants to the following organizations: Jefferson Township Fire Department Received $1,990 for wet suits to assist and train for water rescue. Pike County EMS Received $2,518 for motorized stair chairs to assist paramedics in transporting patients up and down stairs. Union Fire Department Received $4,250 for a backup generator to help keep communications during a power outage and to open up as a cooling or warming center during emergencies. Officials confirm EF-2 tornado tracked for 47 miles Officials say members of WIN Energy REMC can contribute to the Operation Round Up program. The program is intended to support 'worthy causes' in local communities. A spokesperson for WIN Energy REMC Community Trust said, 'Thank you to the WIN Energy REMC members who round up their electric bills to the highest dollar each month.' 'Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
