Police have arrested more than a dozen people in Hawke's Bay over the past week following a rise in reported gang and firearm-related offences.
Detective Senior Sergeant John Love said increased police reports resulted in search warrants at two properties in Wairoa.
Two people were arrested on May 6 after officers found a sawn-off shotgun, ammunition, class C drugs, cash and a grow tent containing cannabis plants at a Wairoa address.
The pair appeared in the Gisborne District Court today charged with unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition, possessing cannabis for supply and cultivating cannabis.
A second warrant was carried out in Mahia the following day, where four men were arrested.
Police said five firearms were seized during the search, with the men charged with unlawful possession of firearms. The four men also appeared in Gisborne District Court today.
Another seven people were arrested across the district during the past week on charges including dangerous driving, drug offending, possession of an offensive weapon and breaching bail conditions.
Love said gang-related activity "disturbs the peace for members of the public and adds to a feeling of being unsafe".
"We want our community in Wairoa to be free of the threat of firearms, violence and general lawlessness that come with the presence of gangs," he said.
Anyone wishing to report illegal activity was encouraged to contact police via 105.
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