major bust on the puppet gang for the Hells Angels biker gang, the Red Devils.

Dozens of police officers have flown into Nelson on a Defence Force plane this morning where they carried out a major bust on the puppet gang for the Hells Angels biker gang, the Red Devils.

The operation involved more than 120 police staff from around New Zealand. Several arrests were made and drugs, weapons, cash and other property were seized.

Police used a digger to bulldoze through the front entrance to the Red Devils' pad in Natalie St.

Tasman Police District Commander, Superintendent Gary Knowles, said the operation had produced significant evidence to support the police stance over the past two years that the gang's primary focus was organised crime.

He said the evidence also confirmed the gang's relationship with the Hells Angels.

"We never thought for a moment these were just good old boys on motorbikes, despite what their supporters and legal representatives tried to present them as," Superintendent Knowles said.

The operation involved the NZ Defence Force, NZ Customs and the Organised and Financial Crime Agency New Zealand (OFCANZ).

Police did not say how many people had been arrested, but said they would provide more details at a media briefing this afternoon.