Forty-three people have been arrested and 96 guns seized after police executed dozens of raids up and down the country last week.
The searches took place between Monday, October 13 and Sunday, October 19, as part of a coordinated crackdown by New Zealand and Australian police.
The two agencies had worked to monitor real-time intelligence and assessments of targeted persons of interest.
A total of 83 searches and 34 compliance checks were carried out by police in New Zealand, resulting in 43 arrests and 110 charges.
Police seized 96 firearms in the raids, including shotguns, rifles, and pistols. Fifteen gun parts were also seized.
“The contribution from across the country, from all of our police districts and partner agencies, has led to a successful week of disrupting criminals in possession of illegal firearms,” Detective Inspector Andrew Alexander said.
“Utilising our intelligence-led approach to target those in possession of illegal firearms, parts or accessories, without appropriate permits, has ensured that illegal firearms are removed from our streets.”
