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New Zealand Police / Supplied
Members of the Rebels gang were arrested after police searched 24 properties on Wednesday.
Police arrested 12 people, including senior members of the Comancheros and Rebeldes gangs, as part of an operation targeting drug trafficking.
The arrests came after 24 properties were searched Wednesday: 21 “throughout the Auckland area” and three in Christchurch.
Police said the raids targeted a group believed to be involved in the importation, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine and MDMA.
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
Acting Detective Inspector John Brunton describes a major police operation targeting the distribution of MDMA (video first posted October 29, 2020).
The search warrants on Wednesday marked the “second phase of termination” of Operation Cincinnati, which saw 26 people arrested and kilos of drugs, multiple firearms and more than $ 10 million in assets seized in October.
READ MORE:
* 20,000 ecstasy pills and Ferrari seized in major police raid in Auckland.
Wednesday’s arrests include a comancher leader who allegedly formed a partnership with a high-ranking member of the rebels in Christchurch.
Police said both had drug distribution networks in their cities.
New Zealand Police / Supplied
A Comanchero vest seized Wednesday.
“Another 10 gang members and their associates have also been arrested in connection with their alleged roles in the network, which saw the transport of drugs and cash between the two cities,” police said in a statement.
Police said they had seized drugs, some of which were packaged ready for sale, along with more than $ 200,000 in cash and a shotgun.
Acting Detective Inspector John Brunton of the national organized crime group said police are determined to target leaders and key members of gangs who are involved in drug trafficking.
New Zealand Police / Supplied
Police seized MDMA, cash, and firearms in Operation Cincinnati in October.
“We want to reduce the damage that these gangs are causing in our communities,” he said.
Twelve people, aged 20 to 42, will appear in Auckland District Court in the coming days on various drug-related charges.
In October, through Operation Cincinnati, 20,000 ecstasy pills known as “Pink Porsche”, luxury vehicles, illegal property and firearms were seized.
At that time, the police seized 3 kg of MDMA powder, 3 kg of ephedrine, quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs.
NZ POLICE / Supplied
In October, police seized several luxury cars, including a 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista worth more than $ 630,000.
Approximately $ 500,000 in cash was located during the search warrants, along with several illegal firearms, including three handguns, police said.
Two shotguns and ammunition were also found.
Police also seized several assets and eight luxury vehicles, including a 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista worth more than $ 630,000 and a 2020 Porsche 911 Coupe, worth more than $ 230,000.
In total, the police seized vehicles worth more than $ 1.2 million.
The asset recovery unit also restricted three properties, worth a total of $ 5.7 million, which means they cannot be sold.
