Two men have been arrested for drugs and firearms after a raid on a Rebels Gang house in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Canterbury police discovered a sawn-off shotgun and a .22 rifle during the search of a house in the suburb of Aranui.
A 22-year-old member of the Rebels MC has been charged with possession of drug utensils and unlawful possession of firearms as a result of the search.
Police also uncovered a sophisticated indoor cannabis growing facility during another search on the same day at a Fitzgerald Ave house.
A 56-year-old man is facing charges relating to the cultivation of cannabis and possession of a restricted weapon.
District prevention manager Inspector Corrie Parnell says the offender taskforce, which was established at the beginning of March 2016, is focused on curbing the activities of gangs.
"We will be relentless in our hard line on any organised criminal group," he says. "In order to make the streets and homes safe we need to rid Canterbury of illegal firearms and drugs."
Insp Parnell says the supply of drugs is a significant driver of other crimes, such as burglary and car theft, with people trying to finance their habit.
"Increasingly we are discovering firearms and other weapons at these addresses, and that is extremely concerning."
Since March, the Canterbury offender taskforce has executed 175 search warrants and recovered 87 illegal firearms. Assets worth $5 million have also been restrained.
The offender taskforce has also made more than 1000 referrals to other agencies to assist families and children exposed to drug use and other family harm.
Police had earlier reported the raid was of a different gang's house.
Newshub.
