Police say they've found a large number of firearms, drugs and around $150,000 in cash in a series of searches around Auckland.
Fourteen guns were discovered in the ceiling of a Takanini home, including AK47s and M16s.
One case of the large assault weapons seized (NZ Police)
Police also found what they're calling an elaborate methamphetamine production set up in a south Auckland warehouse, and methamphetamine worth up to $500,000.
"The fact that we've found such an elaborate meth set-up, as well as so many guns, will have organised crime at its roots," says Detective Senior Sergeant Lloyd Smith of the Organised Crime Group.
A large assault weapon seized (NZ Police)
Detectives from Organised Crime Group carried out several search warrants yesterday as part of Operation Turbo, which looked into the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine.
A 37-year-old man will appear in the Manukau District Court this morning on a range of serious charges, after being arrested in an inner-city apartment yesterday morning.
"When our officers entered the apartment he's alleged to have had a 9mm handgun next to his bed, a plastic container filled with half a kilo of freshly-made methamphetamine, and a bag with around $150,000 in cash," says Det Snr Sgt Schmid.
Two rifles seized (NZ Police)
A few hours after the man was arrested, detectives searched an industrial warehouse related to him in Ash Rd, Wiri.
The building was heavily fortified and contained two clan labs, used for making methamphetamine.
One of the labs was found inside a secret room, which also contained guns and ammunition.
"Methamphetamine is a highly valuable illegal drug, so with competition for market and the possibility of 'rip-offs', there's no doubt firearms are a tool of trade," says Det Snr Sgt Schmid.
Police are still carrying out a scene examination at the warehouse today.
(Photo: Matt Burrows)
More chemicals and drug manufacturing equipment was also found in several storage units.
"Establishing exactly where these firearms have come from is now a priority for us, and we will make many enquiries into this over the coming days."
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