Police minister Stuart Nash has hailed a major drug bust of a Mongrel Mob Riders chapter in Hawke's Bay, saying a crackdown with extra police officers is working.
On Tuesday police seized approximately $1 million in assets, and arrested 16 people, a majority of whom were patched members of the Mongrel Mob or associates.
They found methamphetamine, cash, cannabis and 10 firearms. Assets seized included vehicles and motorbikes, as well as approximately $400,000 in cash and a house.
Nash said the crackdown on gangs, drugs, and illegal firearms showed the value of a specialist unit to target them.
"Busting these organised crime networks takes hard slog by police, and months of investigative work to ensure the charges can stand up in court."