Police seize King Cobra patches, charge gang members after social media post in court

Police seized six King Cobra patches.

On top of that, search warrants uncovered firearms and what is suspected to be methamphetamine.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of the Auckland City CIB, said an arrest warrant at an Auckland address led to further discoveries.

“Police located a person of interest in the investigation, arrested him and seized his patch,” he said.

“During a search warrant carried out at this address, we recovered two firearms as well as ammunition, and this man was charged as a result.”

But it wasn’t over.

“Another man was at this property who was allegedly in possession of a quantity of a substance believed to be methamphetamine,” Baldwin said.

Police say this man was present in the photo posted on social media. His patch was also seized.

Four men – aged 28, 34, 38 and 58 – have been released on bail and will appear in the Auckland District Court on December 24.

A 44-year-old Hamilton man is also due to appear in Hamilton District Court on that date.

Inquiries are underway to trace another Auckland man after his patch was seized as part of search warrants this morning.

The 31-year-old man, arrested for possession of methamphetamine, is expected to appear in the Auckland District Court today.

Baldwin said the investigation is by no means complete.

“We have a designated team of highly motivated investigators and further arrests are expected,” the detective said.

“Public display of gang patches or insignia is now illegal under the new legislation, and we continue to remind gang members of the consequences they could face for breaking these rules.

“This is an example of how police continue to track offenses, which has resulted in additional and more serious charges following the discovery and seizure of firearms and drugs illicit. »

Katie Oliver is a multimedia journalist and breaking news reporter based in Christchurch.