OFF THE WIRE
Police closed off Brentwood Ave in Auckland's Mt Eden. - Source: ONE News
Eleven members of the Hells Angels were stopped by police, Immigration and Customs from attending the motorbike gang's 50th anniversary celebrations in Auckland this weekend.
Police made their presence felt last night at the Mt Eden street where the Hells Angels Mt Eden headquarters is located.
Those attending the party had to give their names and details as well as having their photos taken with their vehicles.
Several infringement notices were written out for driving offences and two people had their licences suspended.
One gang member's motorcycle was seized and three others were written off the road.
Earlier that week, residents received a letter alerting them to the party .
Police said they knew of the international visitors after intercepting an email at the Hells Angels headquarters in December last year.
Addressed to Hells Angels chapters worldwide, the email gave its members instructions on methods to avoid detection by the law and border security.
Police discovered the email during the raid last year, as well as arresting two of the Hells Angels gang on drugs charges.
"The operation to identify and intervene with international travellers was the direct result of an email located during a search of the Hells Angels Headquarters in December last year," said Detective Inspector Grant Wormald of the Organised and Financial Crime Agency (OFCANZ).
Wormald said two were denied visas offshore, seven were offloaded in their own countries, and two landed in New Zealand but were refused entry.
"The multi-agency approach meant that we were able to prevent some notorious gang members from entering New Zealand," he said.
Wormald said these people are organised criminals with long histories, and OFCANZ does not want them here networking and strengthening ties with their New Zealand counterparts.
Another police operation in Nelson this year yield up further evidence of the Hells Angels network.
The Red Devils, who were closely aligned to the Hells Angels, had plans to become the first Hells Angels Chapter in the South Island.
However the entire group were arrested on drugs, weapons and criminal group charges.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/police-gatecrash-hells-angels-birthday-party-4282196
