KEY POINTS:
Tauranga police investigating the murders of Darryl Crawford and William Taikato searched a second area today and found nothing.
The information came from a member of the public. Detective Rob Jones said police still had a "number of opportunities" to follow up.
"The enquiry team remain confident that the investigations will be resolved and that those responsible for the murders of Crawford and Taikato will be held to account for their actions," Mr Jones said.
The site searched today was in the Otanewainuku Conservation Reserve in Oropi, about 30km from Tauranga and is close to the area police searched last week.
Last week police searched a rural area about 5km from where Mr Crawford's car was in 2007.
Mr Crawford, 35, was last seen in August 2007, and Mr Taikato, 40, in December.
Mr Jones has previously said the pair knew each other and were both involved with drugs and gangs.
In mid-April a $50,000 reward was offered in each case for information leading to the conviction of their killer.
A police cadaver dog was called into the search last week and had identified an area of about six square metres.
Scientific staff from Environmental and Scientific Research (ESR) in Auckland were also helping.
Mr Jones told NZPA last week that about 15 police officers were continuing the examination of the scene and it was expected this would take several days to complete.
Family members of both men have been told of the search and were being kept updated, Mr Jones said.
Police made nine arrests in April in relation to both cases.
At the time Mr Jones said the operation had targeted members of the Mongrel Mob and their close associates. The nine people faced charges of supplying and conspiracy to supply methamphetamine.
- NZHERALD STAFF
