Tribesmen raided in agency's first bust

File photo / David White

Members of the Tribesmen gang have been targeted in the first ever bust by the Organised and Financial Crime Agency today.

The raids took place this morning in Northland and Auckland. Detective Superintendent Brett Kane said up to 14 people will be arrested once the operation is over.

He said they will face 160 charges relating to selling, supplying and conspiracy to supply and manufacture methamphetamine.

Mr Kane said over 100 personnel from police, customs, the Ministry of Fisheries, Corrections, Social Development and the Serious Fraud Office were involved in the bust.

"There is still a lot of ongoing work to be done in terms of asset recovery but we are confident that what we have done today will seriously disrupt organised crime activities in Northland," Mr Kane said.

"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of our first taskforce and we believe it demonstrates the tangible benefits of agencies working collaboratively at an operational level."

He said the operation targeted the top end of organised crime and methamphetamine.

The Organised and Financial Crime Agency is run by the police and was formed in July last year.

- NZHERALD STAFF