Arrest and charges laid as part of Operation Cobalt

Statement to be attributed to Acting Detective Sergeant Alun Griffiths, Operation Cobalt, Southland

Southern District Police have arrested and charged a man with Nomad gang links as part of ongoing Operation Cobalt, targeting gangs.

The man initially came to Police attention last Friday after an alleged fleeing driver incident in central Invercargill.

Further enquiries resulted not only in the arrest of the 21-year-old on Wednesday, but the location and seizure of a firearm, stolen vehicles, ammunition, and cannabis.

He has been charged with multiple offences including firearms and ammunition offences, possession of cannabis for supply, theft of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property and failing to stop for Police.

Southern District Police continue to step-up enforcement and the disruption of unlawful gang activity across the country as part of Operation Cobalt.

We need our local communities to help us address unlawful behaviour in our region.

Information can be given to Police by contacting 111 if it is happening now and 105 after the fact.

If for whatever reason you do not want to speak to Police directly, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online via

The man has made an initial court appearance and been remanded in custody.

As the matters are before the courts, Police is unable to comment further.

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