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Police have charged 20 people after raids on dozens of properties in South Auckland and Waikato, seizing half a million dollars worth of methamphetamine.
Counties Manukau District CIB Detective Inspector John Tims today dismissed reports the people arrested, who have links with the gangs The Killer Beez or The Tribesmen, were Robin Hoods but were rather simply drugs dealers.
Mr Tims told media this afternoon the raids were a clear example of police action against the supply of P.
"The members of the Killer Beez and the Tribesmen have been portrayed in the media as modern-day Robin Hoods.
"They have attempted to achieve status through music, videos and contact with the youth of our communities.
"Based on our evidence through the operation in simple terms they are drug dealers who are causing destruction and chaos in the community."
Eighteen people aged between 16 and 45 were arrested in Auckland by the Operation Leo team, who executed 12 search warrants in Otara and Papatoetoe this morning.
Three women and 15 men will all appear in Manukau District Court tomorrow to face the charge of supplying the Class A drug, methamphetamine, otherwise known as P.
Two men arrested in Pirongia and Kihikihi, in Waikato, this morning as part of the Auckland-based Operation Leo activities were due to appear in Hamilton District Court this afternoon.
The 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).
Two of the firearms recovered during the Armed Offenders Squad-assisted arrests were loaded.
No shots were fired while the warrants were being executed.
The 41-year-old Pirongia man will also be charged with conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and receiving stolen property.
Several other people are still speaking with police after 12 search warrants were executed in Otara and Papatoetoe this morning.
All are either members or associates of organised criminal gangs, The Killer Beez and The Tribesmen.
A number of assets - including vehicles and motorcycles - have been seized by the Proceeds of Crime Unit as part of Operation Leo.
In all, a further $200,000 of cash and $500,000 of methamphetamine and cannabis was recovered.
More than 120 police were involved in Operation Leo.
- NZPA
