KEY POINTS:
A high-powered rifle has been recovered from a Mongrel Mob house in Wanganui, but police do not believe it was the firearm that killed a toddler two weeks ago in a drive-by shooting.
Two-year-old Jhia Te Tua died at her parents' Puriri St home on May 5, during a drive-by shooting in the suburb of Gonville.
Her father was a patched member of Black Power.
A massive police investigation, involving around 60 officers, has been working to find those responsible for the shooting, and prevent an escalation of gang violence in the city.
Six men, including three patched Mongrel Mob members and a gang prospect, are in custody, as a result of the investigation into Jhia's death.
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann said today police were continuing to execute search warrants throughout the Wanganui area.
In a search of a Mongrel Mob house in Queen Street, Aramoho, a high powered rifle was found, Mr Bensemann said.
He did not believe it was the firearm used in the shooting of baby Jhia, but said it would be sent for forensic examination to confirm this.
As part of the ongoing crackdown on gangs in Wanganui, members and associates of the Black Power have been arrested over recent days, mostly for offences of disorder, he said.
Mr Bensemann said one Black Power member who had been arrested after behaving in a threatening manner, had appeared in court today and been sentenced to two weeks in prison.
Inspector Duncan MacLeod said a team from the homicide squad was investigating the role Black Power members played in the events leading up to and including the shooting of baby Jhia.
Posters printed in both English and Maori advertising the police 0508 FOR JHIA information line have been distributed about the Wanganui area.
Police were still interested in any information regarding the movements of three vehicles on May 5 -- they are a dark grey Mitsubishi Galant car, registration XI7794; a white Ford Falcon Futura, SL7325; and a grey Nissan Safari, 4x4 XW8646.
- NZPA
