Black Power raids net drugs, guns

Neil Grimstone with some of the drugs, guns and money recovered from several raids in South Auckland yesterday. Picture / Greg Bowker

Police have dealt a second blow to Black Power gang members in South Auckland with a series of raids yesterday netting drugs, cash and weapons.

The bust was carried out by 120 police staff at 15 properties in Pukekohe, Papakura and Manurewa.

Eighteen people have been arrested and another one or two people were being sought by police.

A clandestine laboratory was found at one address in Pukekohe but was not in operation, said Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone.

The crime syndicate targeted in the operation involved members of Black Power, and used an undercover agent, he said.

The gang was also hit by a police last month in an operation that raided a main headquarters and rounded up senior members of the gang.

Police yesterday seized a "substantial" amount of methamphetamine and cannabis, three firearms, a stolen car and $20,000 in cash. Mr Grimstone said some of the properties were known drug-dealing houses. However, some white powder found by police turned out not to be methamphetamine.

"This just goes to show how they're preying on the problem and the fact that when they run out of meth they'll just sell white powder ... and then fall back on the fact 'We're a gang and you can't touch us'."

Those arrested will appear in court today and tomorrow on a range of drugs, firearms and property charges.