NEW ZEALAND, Police raid Red Devils

OFF THE WIRE
By SALLY KIDSON -Police who made a major raid on the Red Devils' headquarters in Nelson say the gang is a front for organised crime and it won't be tolerated in Nelson.

Patched Hells Angels members and Wellington gang Head Hunters were at the Red Devils' headquarters when armed police stormed the Natalie St address shortly before midnight on Saturday.

They had come to Nelson for the cage fighting event held at the Trafalgar Centre on Saturday night, and "a gathering" was taking place at the headquarters after the event, police say.

The Red Devils are a junior franchise of the Hells Angels gang.

There are believed to be five patched members in Nelson.

"I've been saying for quite some time the Red Devils are nothing more than a front for organised criminal activity and the fact they've got members of organised criminal gangs from Auckland and Wellington at their headquarters in Nelson on Saturday night would tend to confirm what I'm saying," Nelson Bays area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said.

Armed police from Nelson and Christchurch charged the building with a search warrant issued under the Sale of Liquor Act.

Mr McGurk said police entered the gang headquarters from both the front, at Natalie St, and from the south, through a neighbouring property, by cutting down part of the high fence that surrounds the property.

"I think we were in the property and inside the house within 20 seconds."

A bar was set up in the kitchen area with a cash till, fridges packed with alcohol and glassware.

Mr McGurk said police also found evidence of illegal drugs and drug use, including methamphetamine point bags inside the house.

A large amount of alcohol, the cash till, more than $12,500 in cash, two refrigerators, five laptop computers, assorted documents, and substances believed to be illicit drugs were seized.

A truck was needed to take away the alcohol, mainly beer and spirits.

Eight people were arrested following the raid.

Five people were charged with allowing an unlicensed premises to be used for the sale of liquor, two people were charged with possession of methamphetamine and one woman was charged with obstructing police.

A further 45 people are likely to face charges of being found on unlicensed premises being used for the sale of liquor.

Mr McGurk said those at the headquarters ranged in age and were from around the country.

He said amongst those at the headquarters were patched Hells Angels members from Auckland and Whanganui, and patched Head Hunters members from Auckland and Wellington.

Mr McGurk said after police got into the headquarters those at the address were "corralled" outside into a contained area.

Ad Feedback Police then questioned and dealt with everyone one by one.

A special police processing unit was set up in Natalie St.

Police were at the site for about three hours, he said.

"We spoke to people from Auckland, Whanganui, Wellington, Motueka and Nelson."

All those charged have been remanded on bail to appear in the Nelson District Court on September 28.

Mr McGurk said Saturday night's raid was part of police's ongoing efforts against criminal gangs, and police did not "want them in Nelson".

"Just because it's Nelson doesn't mean we are immune to other problems sweeping around the country," he said.

"I've always expressed concern that the Red Devils and the Hell's Angels are getting a strong hold in the South Island."

Darryl Pyres of Pyres Services, which is next door to the house, said his only interaction with the gang was when a member came over to borrow a crescent wrench.

"It wasn't really chit chat, he just asked to borrow a crescent and then he brought it back."

Mr Pyres said the house was usually quiet during the day with only the odd motorcycle or person being seen.

"The gates went up and you might see the odd person walk in and out.

"I suppose it's after 4.30pm and on the weekends when things happen."

RED DEVILS

Getting established in Nelson Red Devils are a feeder gang for the Hells Angels. April last year: Red Devils form chapter in Nelson, four members publicly display their patches during a biker "poker run" ride. It is the first time the group has been seen in New Zealand. March this year: Red Devils set up house in Natalie St, a commercial area off St Vincent St, Nelson, as their base. Hells Angels ride into Nelson to join the annual poker run and the police shadow them in Operation Joker 2. Saturday night: Police raid Red Devils headquarters, charge five people, 45 more likely to face charges. Police say the gang now has five patched members.