Seven people are expected to appear in the Auckland District Court this afternoon,  as part of a major operation targeting the criminal activities of the Head Hunters gang . A further three people who have also been charged as part of Operation Sylvester are current inmates at Mt Eden Corrections Facility and will appear in court at a later date.

Led by Detectives from Police’s Organised Financial Crime Agency (OFCANZ), dozens of Police officers from the Auckland City, Waitemata, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Northland districts have carried out search warrants across greater Auckland, Ruakaka, Huntly and Tauranga.

Operation Sylvester has investigated the manufacture and production of methamphetamine, allegedly by Head Hunters members, affiliates and associates.

The ten people are facing charges in relation to methamphetamine production and supply, but investigations are also ongoing into the alleged supply of contraband and fraudulent activity.

This morning’s search warrants also involve investigation into the alleged supply of contraband such as tobacco and cellphones to HeadHunter- affiliated and other prisoners at the Mt Eden Corrections Facility.

Police are speaking with two men and one woman in relation to these enquiries.

One of the three people is a former guard at the facility. The other two persons are private individuals.

Serco and the Department of Corrections are working with Police on this aspect of Operation Sylvester.

“We appreciate the interest that will arise from this, but this part of our enquiry will be ongoing for some time and we are not in a position to discuss the general details any further at the moment. We are very grateful for the support and help we’re getting from both Serco and Corrections” says Det Inspector Bruce Good, OFCANZ.

Search warrants have also been carried out this morning at properties in West Auckland, Tauranga and Huntly.

This aspect of the operation relates to car and motorbike licences that are suspected to have been fraudulently issued to Head Hunters members and associates, allegedly by three driver/motorcycle testing companies certified by the NZTA.

Police are working closely with NZTA on this aspect, which will also be an ongoing part of Operation Sylvester.

“Sadly the demand for methamphetamine in this country remains strong. There is no sector of our society that is not affected in some way by it. This operation has targeted the criminal activities of people belonging to a gang  – the reality here is that the Head Hunters have significant influence over the methamphetamine market in New Zealand and that in turn is a key driver of crime” says Det Insp Good.

“If you’ve ever been a victim of a burglary or had your car broken into or stolen, in many cases the offender will have used your things to get money for meth. People have the right to be safe and feel safe and there should be zero tolerance for this organised crime activity in our communities” he says.

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