Organised Crime Arrests in Western Bay of Plenty

Western Bay of Plenty Police today arrested six gang associates for cultivating cannabis, possession for supply of cannabis and participation in a criminal group.

The arrests follow a four months long investigation by the Te Puke CIB into the commercial cultivation of cannabis across the greater Bay of Plenty and South Waikato.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner, Western Bay of Plenty CIB, said several warrants were executed across the Te Puke and Maketu Districts this morning.

Two sawn off shotguns, ammunition, explosives, 17 kilos of cannabis and stolen electronic equipment were found while searching addresses.

The four arrested men aged 18, 25, 27, 29 years and two women aged 27 and 29 will appear in the Tauranga District Court later today.

Further arrests are likely.