Police hunt 'dangerous' patched gang member

Tauranga police are searching for a "dangerous" patched gang member wanted in connection with drugs and firearms-related offences.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner of Tauranga CIB said today it was believed that Raymond Whare, 43, was "lying low" and should not be approached.

Whare is understood to be an active member of the Mongrel Mob's Te Puke chapter.

Acting Senior Sergeant Darryl Brazier said yesterday that Whare was the driver of a car which was allegedly found containing a methamphetamine laboratory, $40,000 and a "significant quantity" of class A drugs, believed to be methamphetamine and LSD in on July 19.

Police spoke to Whare at the scene but he was released without charge as police focused on dealing with the threat posed by another man.

However, after further inquiries police intended to lay firearms and drugs charges against Whare.

He asked anyone who knew of Whare's whereabouts to contact police.

- NZPA