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 are not ruling 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.