A clan lab and a number of illicit items were discovered at a Far North property over the weekend, police have revealed.
On Saturday, the Far North Precision Targeting Team were looking for persons with warrants for their arrest at a rural property near Mangonui when the discovery was made.
At the site there was a disassembled clandestine laboratory, used to manufacture methamphetamine, police say.
"Police also located a stolen vehicle, a quantity of methamphetamine and a shotgun," a spokesperson said.
"A scene guard was put in place overnight for a Clan Lab Response Team to conduct a scene examination on Sunday."
Three Mangonui residents have been arrested and charged over the find, including:
- a 52-year-old man charged with unlawful possession of a firearm;
- a 43-year-old man charged with receiving stolen property; and
- a 49-year-old man charged with possession of methamphetamine.
The trio are scheduled to appear in Kaitaia District Court on Monday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry, of the Northland Organised Crime Unit, says his team are focusing on gang crime, including that which involves firearms.
"Those arrested at the weekend have links to the Headhunters Motorcycle gang in the Northland district. Police will be continuing to make enquiries around the items found during our search and there are likely to be further arrests and charges," he said.
"We are focused on continually targeting organised crime groups that are influencing our drug dealing scene and this is another example of detecting offending when we hold offenders to account."
Det Snr Sgt Verry says police work hard to hold gangs to account - but can’t do it alone.
"We need the public’s assistance to help make our communities a safe place," he said.
"That means anyone with information about drug dealing, drug manufacturing or those illegally in possession of firearms need to speak up."
Anyone with information can contact their local police through 105 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.