Photo: RNZ
Police have arrested 11 people following an investigation into breaches of the gang patch law during the tangi of a senior Mongrel Mob member.
The funeral that happened in December last year saw a police operation carried out in Napier during the funeral.
Police arrested three people at the time who were displaying gang insignia and four others for disorder offences.
Thirteen search warrants were executed across Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Wairoa, Auckland and Dannevirke today to seize other gang insignia displayed at the time.
All those arrested are all due to appear in their respective district courts in the coming week, and further arrests are likely.
Police seized 11 gang patches, one t-shirt and one pair of shorts.
Several other items including a replica pistol, a taser, ammunition and 22 cannabis plants were also confiscated.
Police said these items highlight the dangerous roles gangs play within our communities.
Police hope the arrests serve as a clear reminder they're committed to enforcing the ban on gang patches law and will take every chance to follow it up plus other illegal gang activity.
They said the gang disruption units are dedicated to targeting unlawful gang activity even if it means following up further down the line.
Police said it will not tolerate intimidation or breaches of the law.
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