Tuesday, December 1, 2009
48-year-old gang member from Wanganui has been charged with possession of cannabis
48-year-old gang member from Wanganui has been charged with possession of cannabis and a 41-year-old gang member from Wanganui has been charged with threatening to kill.Both men are due to appear at the Wanganui District Court on December 1.Police spokesperson Kim Perks said the raid began just before 7am when members of the Armed Offenders Squad entered the three-storey building and compound on Kaikokopu Rd."When police first arrived at the location there were three men inside the premises and entry was gained without incident."Around 35 police officers from Wanganui and Palmerston North were involved in the raid.Ms Perks said a small amount of cannabis was found at the address."Once the premises were cleared and secured, teams of police officers joined the operation to search the building and grounds, a process that took a number of hours."Ms Perks said the examination of the scene was wrapped up in the early afternoon.She said during the raid police used "distraction devices" which may have sounded in neighbouring houses like gunfire. Ms Perks said the raid followed an aggravated burglary at an address in Wanganui on October 3."During this incident a woman was assaulted and property including licensed firearms were stolen."All parties involved in that incident are believed to be known to one another."Ms Perks said a 32-year-old man from Wanganui has been charged in connection with the burglary and is currently remanded on 13 charges including threats to kill, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and commission of a crime with a firearm.A 33-year-old woman from Wanganui was also charged with accessory after the fact in the relation to the aggravated burglary. She is currently on bail.Both are due to appear in the Wanganui District Court on December 7.Ms Perks said a vehicle connected with the aggravated burglary was also recovered during yesterday's operation, although it was not found at the Kaikokopu Rd address.