Police give criminals early wake-up call

Police in Tasman District have today coordinated a major operation aimed at halting the activities of the puppet gang for the Hells Angels, the Red Devils.

The operation has involved in excess of 120 police staff from around New Zealand, many of whom were flown to Nelson early today by the NZ Defence Force. It has focused on arrests and seizures of drugs, weapons, cash and other property.

Today's operation kicked off with a Police bulldozer demolishing the front entrance to the Red Devils' pad in Natalie St, Nelson. Search warrants were simultaneously executed at private addresses in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough.

Tasman Police District Commander, Superintendent Gary Knowles said the operation had produced significant evidence to support the Police stance over the past two years that the gang's primary focus was organised crime. The evidence also confirmed the gang's relationship with the Hells Angels.

"We never thought for a moment these were just good old boys on motorbikes, despite what their supporters and legal representatives tried to present them as," Superintendent Knowles said.

The operation has been a multi-agency exercise, involving NZ Defence force and NZ Customs working alongside Police and the Organised and Financial Crime Agency New Zealand (OFCANZ).

Full results of the operation are still being collated.