BIKER NEWS: $1 million methamphetamine seized from man leaving Picton ferry terminal

BN- Police have seized a stash of cash from a property in Auckland after more than $1 million of methamphetamine was found in a car leaving the Picton ferry terminal.

Three people have been arrested as part of the co-ordinated police operation, which included a raid on the Christchurch headquarters of the Rebels Motorcycle Club.

The drugs were destined for the South Island, police said.

Detective Inspector Stu Graham, from OFCANZ, said members of the armed offenders squad stopped a car as it left the ferry terminal in Picton about 12.15am on Tuesday.

A search of the vehicle revealed in excess of 1 kilogram of methamphetamine, estimated to be worth more than $1 million, Graham said.

The sole occupant, 22-year-old Stephen James Harland, from Glen Eden, Auckland, was charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply. Harland entered no plea when he appeared in Blenheim District Court on Tuesday morning. He was remanded in custody until Thursday.

Graham said police raided a home in the Auckland suburb of Greenlane on Tuesday morning in connection with the operation. A search of the property revealed a large quantity of cash and smaller amounts of methamphetamine.

A 29 year-old man was due to appear in Auckland District Court on Tuesday afternoon charged in relation to the supply of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a restricted weapon.

A 34-year-old female had been summonsed to appear in Auckland District Court on September 21 charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Police also raided the Christchurch headquarters of the Rebels Motorcycle Club in Vagues Rd, Papanui. Armed police remained at the property while a search was carried out by investigators.

A resident who lived near the gang pad said she heard police calling for the occupants to "come out with your hands up and no one will get hurt" about 1am Tuesday.

Another resident, who would not be named, said there were regular parties at the gang pad. He often heard loud motorcycles, but rarely saw patched members of the group.

The gang had not caused any trouble in the street, the resident said.

In 2011, it was announced the Rebels, which is one of Australia's largest gangs, had moved into New Zealand. The bikie gang quickly spread throughout the country. Members previously frequented a pad in Racecourse Rd, Christchurch, but were forced out because of insurance issues.

It's understood the Rebels' two Christchurch-based chapters recently merged and there has been a change of leadership. The owner of the Vagues Rd property used by the bikie gang declined to comment.

Last year, patched Rebels member Andrew Michael Smith was found with 70g of methamphetamine, which had an estimated street value of $70,000, and $2258 cash in Woodend, North Canterbury.

He later admitted possessing methamphetamine for supply and was jailed for nearly three years.

Police have previously said there was a tendency for methamphetamine to be sourced from the North Island and brought south where prices were higher.

In October last year, Head Hunters gang member Michael Murray, 54, of Timaru, was arrested after 500 grams of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of about $500,000, was allegedly found inside a truck he was driving on State Highway 1, near Taupo.

The drugs were destined for the South Island, police said.

More: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/72051459/police-raid-rebels-motorcycle-club-headquarters-in-christchurch