Loaded gun found in backpack in child's bedroom during major meth raids
Police say a major methamphetamine investigation has uncovered “seriously concerning” findings, including a loaded gun in a backpack in a child’s bedroom.
Speaking to media today, Detective Superintendent Greg Williams said the operation, titled Operation Phoenix, started in August last year with National Organised Crime Group teams being sent to Northland in week-long segments over a month.
In total, 34 search warrants have been executed with 14 people arrested.
“We executed warrants today, so it’s still happening. We’re just finishing now in that sense,” Williams said.
“We recovered clan lab equipment. Equipment, chemicals related to clan labs, methamphetamine, nine firearms so far - including a loaded pistol found in a backpack in a child’s bedroom at one of the main targets’ addresses. So it’s kind of seriously concerning to see that occurring.”
He said the men involved are facing a raft of charges related to the manufacture of methamphetamine, supply of methamphetamine, operating as an organised crime group, and other associated firearms offences.
The people arrested had links to the Tribesman and Head Hunters gangs, Williams said.
Police yesterday executed search warrants across Northland and Auckland as part of the investigation.
The National Organised Crime Group has been leading the investigation with help from Northland Police.
Yesterday’s co-ordinated raids were described as “a large-scale termination”.
Details were scarce while enforcement action was underway.
Last week, six people were arrested and nearly $5 million worth of property, vehicles and cash seized as part of a drugs sting in Canterbury.
Police carried out more than 10 search warrants across Christchurch two weeks ago as part of Operation Shelby. One search was at the Christchurch chapter of the King Cobras in Addington pad.
After the arrests, the police’s Southern Asset Recovery Unit was granted a restraining order under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009.
Detective Inspector Rebecca Cotton, acting crime manager of the National Organised Crime Group, said the restraint of $4.8m worth of property, vehicles and cash would stop criminal groups from harming communities.
On Tuesday, a 20-year-old was arrested at Auckland International Airport after Customs officers found 19.7kg of methamphetamine in his luggage.
In April, a Customs-led operation into one of New Zealand’s largest drug-smuggling syndicates led to 16 arrests, mainly of young New Zealanders involved in carrying drugs through Auckland International Airport.
A total of 252kg of methamphetamine was transported between October 2025 and January 2026 on return trips to Malaysia, carried mainly in passenger luggage, Customs alleged.
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