Four people have been arrested and multiple firearms seized during a week-long police operation linked to the funeral of gang member Tyrone George Michael Whittaker in Christchurch.
According to a report by Rachel Moore of Stuff, Canterbury police district commander Superintendent Tony Hill said officers mounted a major operation as gang members travelled to the city for the event.
Whittaker, a patched member of the Tribesman gang, died recently in what were described as non-suspicious medical circumstances. He had been sentenced to 18 months’ intensive supervision at the Christchurch District Court in July 2023 on a range of charges, including threatening and intimidating hospital staff and dangerous driving causing injury, Rachel Moore of Stuff has reported.
Hill said the operation began on Thursday, January 8, as gang members started arriving in Christchurch and continued through to Tuesday, when they dispersed.
“Four people were arrested, including one person for a gang insignia breach. The other arrests were for outstanding warrants and driving offences,” Hill said, as quoted by Stuff.
Police also impounded a motorcycle and a vehicle during the operation. A search of the vehicle uncovered an air pistol, an air rifle, and an associated magazine and ammunition.
Hill said police were continuing to assess material gathered during the operation, including whether any breaches of gang-related legislation had occurred, Stuff has reported.
According to Stuff, videos shared on social media showed a large procession of motorcycles and vehicles travelling “through the hood” as part of the funeral events.
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