KEY POINTS:
Police have seized about $500,000 of P and cannabis, $200,000 in cash and a large amount of stolen property including vehicles in major drugs raids targeting two notorious gangs in Auckland and Waikato.
Fifteen people will appear in court in Manukau today after raids on 10 properties in Otara and Papatoetoe yesterday morning in a massive crackdown on the Killer Beez and Tribesmen which required 122 police.
A further two men appeared in the Hamilton District Court yesterday on firearms charges after two raids in Waikato in which it is alleged two loaded firearms were discoveredduring searches involving the armed offenders squad.
Detectives say all those arrested were either members or associates of the two gangs.
The raids followed a six-month sting dubbed Operation Leo. The two gangs have known links.
The business premises of the Killer Beez-linked record label Colourway Records on Hills Rd, East Tamaki, was among places raided yesterday. Nearby residents said the store was in its infancy but appeared to have a clothing focus.
The officer in charge of the operation, Detective Inspector John Tims, who was yesterday on his first day as the head of the Counties Manukau CIB, spoke out against the gang.
"Those members of the Killer Beez and the Tribesmen have been portrayed by the media and others in the community as modern-day Robin Hoods. They have attempted to achieve status through music and videos in connection with the youth of our community.
"Based on the evidence secured throughout this operation and today, in simple terms they are drug dealers who are causing destruction and chaos in our community by their actions."
Mr Tims would not say whether Killer Beez leader Josh Masters was among the 25-30 people being interviewed yesterday, but 3 News reported his was among houses raided.
And although Mr Tims confirmed police found cannabis and P with an estimated street value of $500,000, he would not disclose whether the gangs had been manufacturing P.
Killer Beez regalia, including CDs and embroidered jackets, were among items taken away by police. They also seized a leather Tribesmen vest, cash and bags of P. Stolen items including motorcycles and vehicles had not been valued by the police Proceeds of Crime Unit last night.
"I'm pleased to say that this operation - today's termination - is a clear example of the police action against the supply and sale of meth, or P as we commonly call it," Mr Tims said. "It's a good day for the New Zealand community, it's a good day for New Zealand police."
Three women and 15 men are to appear in the Manukau District Court today to jointly face the charge of supplying the class A drug P.
Two Waikato men - a 41-year-old from Pirongia and a 49-year-old from Kihikihi - are jointly charged with five counts of unlawful possession of firearms and possession of explosives (ammunition). The 41-year-old Pirongia man will also face charges of conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and receiving stolen property.
The pair are being dealt with by the Hamilton District Court.
KILLER BEEZ
* A gang headed by kickboxer Josh Masters, who is also behind the hip-hop music and clothing label Colourway Records, which sells its CDs at the Otara markets.
* The Killer Beez have been linked to several high-profile violent crimes recently, including a street shooting at a tinny house in the Auckland suburb of Flat Bush in January.
* Earlier that month they were associated with violent and unprovoked attacks on the North Shore which left two young couples with serious head injuries.
