KEY POINTS:
Three men have been arrested for the murder of William Taikato whose body has still not been found since going missing in December last year.
Police have received a number of tip-offs and searched two remote areas outside Tauranga but have come-up with nothing.
The three men charged are aged 50, 41 and 33 and come from Te Puke and Tauranga. Their names can not be released for legal reasons.
One of the men has also been charged with the murder of Darrell James Crawford who went missing in August last year. His body has also not been found.
Detective Inspector Rob Jones said all three men have "strong local gang affiliations". He said police believe the murders are connected with methamphetamine.
Mr Jones said recovering the bodies of Taikato and Crawford is now the main focus.
"Apart from those arrested, the investigation team know that there are others involved either directly or indirectly, in these murders. Police remain confident that further arrests will be made," Mr Jones said.
He said anyone with information on the murders or the missing car owned by Taikato a green 1996 Holden Commodore, should contact police.
In mid-April a $50,000 reward was offered in each case for information leading to the conviction of their killer.
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.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
