30 Oct 2023

Operation Medial: four arrested in Gisborne as firearms, ammunition seized

1:01 pm on 30 October 2023
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Photo: 123rf.com

Four gang members have been arrested in Gisborne and charged with firearms-related offences.

Inspector Darren Paki of Tairāwhiti police said the arrests were part of Operation Medial and followed a number of shootings in Gisborne on 13 and 15 October.

Three of those men, aged 24, 26, and 33 were arrested as a result of three search warrants at Gisborne homes last week.

The fourth man, aged 31, was arrested following a search warrant at a residential address in Gisborne last Friday.

At that warrant, police also seized a firearm and ammunition.

Paki said police across Tairāwhiti, including Wairoa, would maintain a visible presence and continue to focus on gangs and the harm they caused.

The community had already provided valuable information, but Paki asked anyone with more details to call 111 if it was happening now, or you could report anonymously via [www.crimestoppers.org Crime Stoppers] on 0800 555 111.

Three of the arrested men are scheduled to appear in Gisborne District Court on Monday.

The 31-year-old faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, along with other charges linked to separate incidents in early September.

The 26-year-old faces charges of wilful damage and threatening to kill, and the 24-year-old faces charges of robbery and discharging a firearm with intent to intimidate.

The 33-year-old man is due to appear in the Gisborne District Court on 8 November on charges of unlawful possession of shot gun ammunition, breach of prison release conditions, and possession of cannabis.

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