Thirty-one firearms have been seized and six firearms licence holders suspended following an investigation into illegal hunting in North Canterbury.
A network of firearms licence holders allegedly gave firearms to unlicensed hunters and then attempted to cover their tracks with further offending, police said.
The operation, by The National Organised Crime Group (NCOG) supported by the Firearms Safety Authority, was one of several investigations conducted in a coordinated crackdown by New Zealand and Australian police last month.
The investigation began after shots were fired near a house in rural Cheviot in April, waking the occupants.
NOCG Detective Inspector Albie Alexander said two men without firearms licences pleaded guilty to charges including unlawful possession of firearms and discharging a firearm near a dwelling.
“Of the six firearms located in their possession, four were registered to other people. Thanks to the Firearms Registry we were able to trace the licence holders who allegedly diverted their firearms.”
He said the investigation revealed alleged attempts to subsequently conceal offending by providing misleading information about the true ownership of the firearms.
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Six people, four men and two women, now face charges including attempting to defeat the course of justice, failing to register firearms, supplying firearms to unlicensed people, and knowingly giving false information to police.
Firearms Safety Authority executive director Angela Brazier said the Firearms Registry proved invaluable by linking the illegal hunting with licence holders who allegedly diverted their firearms.
“The majority of licence holders have no trouble complying with their registry obligations and know the rules about keeping firearms out of the hands of unlicensed people who may go on to commit offences.”
Two men, aged 22 and 73, and two women, aged 52 and 73, all of Kaikōura, are due to reappear at the Kaikōura District Court on December 12.
A 38-year-old Hurunui man will reappear in the Christchurch District Court on November 13, and a 47-year-old Hurunui man is scheduled to appear on November 5.
