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Police concern as gangs boost presence in Queenstown

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 12 Jun 2019, 5:47PM
An increase in population has led to an increase in drug dealing in the town. (Photo / File)

Police concern as gangs boost presence in Queenstown

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 12 Jun 2019, 5:47PM

Kiwi gangsters have chosen Queenstown as their new holiday hotspot,and they're bringing their problems with them.

This comes after Central Otago police seized more than $200,000 worth of meth and $30,000 cash in a series of raids on Tuesday morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis of Queenstown Police is attributing the problem to gangs.

He told Heather du Plessis-Allen they've seen Headhunters, Hells Angels, King Cobras and Mongrel Mob members partying it up.

"We're getting others who are getting drugs through to supply and others visiting to spend some of their ill-gotten gains. We're aware of them taking helicopter rides and staying in more expensive hotels."

Inglis says that they have been causing trouble as well, with three gang members being arrested over the last several months.

He says the influx of population has led to a rise in drug sales. 

"Meth is our main concern coming in here from the gangs."  

The bust was the result of ''building up a picture of what was happening in the area'' and acting on information received.

A 36-year-old man is in custody, charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply, and a a 33-year-old man is facing drugs charges after police executed two warrants in Cromwell the same day.

The two men are due to appear in court later this month.

Two men arrested in relation to a serious assault in the resort a few weeks ago also had Head Hunters links.

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