Operation weaken exercises police strength

Counties/Manukau crime took a big hit last month when the district’s new organised crime squad terminated Operation Weaken.

The operation primarily targeted 15 high-profile Black Power members with search warrants executed at nine addresses in the Mt Wellington-Otahuhu region and the Mangere suburb – including the gang’s chapter HQ.

District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford, says intel pointed toward the gang making more than $1 million a year though the alleged wholesaling of cannabis and stolen property in South Auckland. 

Motorcycles, cars and cash found at the properties are likely to be seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

“Operation Weaken will have a significant impact on the gang’s operations,” says Steve.

“Every outfit has a hierarchy and that’s what the team concentrated on. For years the district has been chipping away ... instead of coming in from the bottom, the plan has been to come in from the top. It will slow them down.”

A large number of investigation and general duties staff plus attachments and the Northern Law Enforcement Team were deployed in the raids. Efforts were temporarily halted when an explosive device was discovered at the gang’s headquarters and the Army called in to remove it.

Despite this temporary setback, Steve describes the outcome of the operation as “fantastic”. “Fifteen people were located and dealt with on the day and three others were dealt with prior to the actual termination.