Six people have been arrested and drugs and firearms in seized across Northland on Thursday.

Police searched four properties and a vehicle between Kerikeri and Mangonui, resulting in four arrests. In a separate operation, two were arrests after an address in Hikurangi was searched.

Northland police uncovered five firearms, the magazine for a prohibited MSSA-style rifle, cannabis, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and $3000 cash, and subsequently arrested four people, all with gang links.

A man, 48, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and cannabis for supply. A woman, 40, was charged with possession of methamphetamine. And a man, 50, was charged with unlawfully possessing ammunition and methamphetamine.

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A 45-year-old man was charged with possession of equipment for manufacturing methamphetamine.

The four are set to appear in Kaikohe District Court “in due course”.

The two others arrests made on Thursday were not linked to gang activity, and came after police searched a Hikurangi property on Wednesday.

Police uncovered a .22 calibre rifle, 205 rounds of ammunition, a kilogram of cannabis and stolen property from a string of burglaries around Northland.

A 30-year-old woman was arrested with possession of cannabis to supply, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

A man, who was named as a person of interest, was arrested after trying to flee police in Whangārei in what was believed to be a stolen vehicle on Thursday.

The driver had two outstanding warrants to arrest, and has been charged with failing to stop, driving while disqualified and dangerous driving.

Police said they were still investigating “a number of burglaries and thefts around the area”, and further charges were likely.

The woman will appear at Whangārei District Court on Monday, and the man will appear “at a later stage”.

“Stepping up”

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Dalzell, Northland CIB, said police are “stepping up their enforcement and disruption of gang activity throughout the country”.

“In Northland, police are taking every opportunity to target those involved in recent gang and firearm-related violence, as well as other gang events that have taken place over long weekends in recent months,” he said.

“That means conducting search warrants and making arrests for any identifiable offences.”

Dalzell said the police’s message to gangs is clear: “The community expects a zero tolerance for any violence, gang and drug activities.”

Police will continue to disrupt this harmful behaviour and it will not be tolerated.

Dalzell warned there will continue to be a “highly visible police presence across Northland”.

“We are working hard to ensure we keep our community safe, and police will continue to actively target those involved in criminal activity,” he said.

Police are encouraging those who have any information from anyone “who has concerns about organised crime, gang activity or the illegal possession of firearms in their community”.

“We rely on the eyes and ears of our community and whānau members who can help reduce the harm in our communities,” he said.

To report a crime online, head to 105.police.govt.nz, or call police on 105,

You can also report anything anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-nz.org.