Police have seized firearms and impounded vehicles as part of an ongoing crackdown on gang activity.
Detective inspector Aaron Proctor says frontline officers with Counties Manukau East Police recently stopped a vehicle of interest in Flat Bush.
“Police have conducted a search of the vehicle and located a revolver and ammunition inside,” he says.
“This has led Operation Cobalt staff to conduct a further search warrant at a nearby Flat Bush address.
“A sawn-off shotgun and cartridges have since been recovered by Operation Cobalt staff following enquiries at this address.”
Proctor says charges have been laid over the discoveries.
The stopped vehicle’s 36-year-old passenger, a patched King Cobras gang member, has been charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
The man has also been charged over unrelated driving offences, Proctor says.
The vehicle’s 27-year-old driver is facing charges over unrelated offending.
Police have also impounded three late-model European vehicles.
“This is a great example of police staff working together to achieve the aims of Operation Cobalt in targeting unlawful activity,” Proctor says.
“While there is a team of dedicated Operation Cobalt staff across the country, it also involves a whole-of-police approach to suppressing and disrupting this illegal activity.”
Proctor says enquiries are ongoing into the original firearms incident, where a firearm was reportedly presented from one of the impounded vehicles in the Otara area earlier this month.
