Armed police raid Nelson gang houses

Armed police raided the Red Devils Nelson gang headquarters and homes of two of its top ranked members this morning.

Police, with support from the armed offenders squad, carried out search warrants at the gang headquarters on Natalie St and two houses where the gang's president and secretary are believed to live.

Tasman district commander, Superintendent Gary Knowles, said that the Red Devils was a "puppet" gang for the Hells Angels, which police were committed to monitoring and disrupting.

No one had been arrested yet, but police recovered items of interest which were now the focus of continued investigations, he said.

Mr Knowles said police searched the properties after receiving information from the public that a bar was operating at the headquarters and the gang was involved in drug offences.

"A large amount of information has been given to the police on an ongoing basis about the activities of the Red Devils since their arrival in Nelson two years ago.

"The information that a bar at the gang house was back in operation was clearly correct."

Police removed a surprised builder doing renovations at the headquarters before searching the property, Mr Knowles said.

"Our advice is forget about the home improvements - we don't intend to let these criminals get comfortable in Nelson."

- NZPA