In New Zealand, three Hells Angels' gang members were among four men arrested last week in an operation to target unlawful debt collections.
Two warrants were executed at addresses in and near the city of Auckland, an operation led by the Organised & Financial Crime Agency New Zealand (OFCANZ). Three rifles and 650 rounds of ammunition were found hidden at one of the addresses, reports the Otago Daily Times in New Zealand.
The raid follows complaints about collection agencies Dirty Debtors and Rapid Recovery. Andrew Joseph Sisson, 51, and Nathan Scott Hampton-Burgess, 21, were jointly charged with participating in a organized criminal group and robbery.
Sisson also was charged with possession of ammunition and three firearms, another robbery charge, stealing a ute worth $20,000, intent to obtain property dishonestly and entering a building with intent to commit a crime.
Detective Inspector Grant Wormald of OFCANZ says there are a number of people claiming to be debt collectors who trade on their membership of a gang. "More often than not the gangs are used to collect debts in the knowledge that people will pay up through fear and intimidation. It is a crime when money is extorted or property taken from people in this way," Wormald says.
Sisson was remanded in custody over the weekend and is due to reappear in court to apply for bail on Monday.
Two other Hells Angels, Kishor Chandra Singh and Wayne Brendon Franklyn, were charged with aggravated robbery and participating in an organized crime group.
