Arrest made after police raids

Detective Senior Sergeant Pete Van De Wetering speaks about today's raids at a press conference this afternoon.

A man has been arrested as a result of raids on seven Auckland properties today, police said.

The raids, on the North Shore and in Otara, were in relation to last Tuesday's aggravated robbery of a Kihikihi motorcycle shop.

District CIB field supervisor Detective Senior Sergeant Pete Van De Wetering said over 50 staff from the Waikato, Counties Manukau and Waitemata police districts were involved in the raids.

"All the properties searched were linked to individuals belonging to the Tribesmen motorcycle gang," he said. "Police believe last week's incident reinforces their concerns of links between the illicit firearms trade and organised criminal groups."

"Because we believed the offenders involved in last weeks' robbery were armed members of the Armed Offenders Squad were used to clear a number of addresses prior to those properties being searched."

A 31-year-old man will appear in Manukau District Court tomorrow on aggravated robbery and illegal possession of a firearm charges.

Police say further arrests are anticipated.

Two classic motorcycles with a combined value of around $50,000 were also recovered from a Berrett Street, Otara, address along with clothing used by the alleged offenders.

- NZ HERALD STAFF