8. Question No. 8—PoliceVANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 8—Police8. VANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour) to the Minister of Police: What updates has she seen about the Police's use of laws to target gangs and organised crime?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN (Minister of Police): Following heightened tensions in the Manawatū police last week invoked the use of criminal activity intervention legislation (CAIL) to provide warrant powers to search vehicles—and the occupants of vehicles—of suspected gang members. This is the second time the legislation has been invoked since it came into effect in April of this year. Once again it has proven to be a vital tool in police's ability to crack down on gangs. Under this warrant police searched 21 vehicles 34 members and associates; and resulted in three arrests three firearms and five other weapons being seized. Most importantly the law had a chilling effect on gang activities and aided the lowering of tensions in the region.Vanushi Walters: What effect are laws like the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act having?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: Under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act police have now laid five charges for discharging a firearm to intimidate and have issued two warrants in both Ōpōtiki and the Manawatū resulting in a total of 48 vehicles being seized seven firearms and 16 other weapons being seized and 12 arrests. I've also heard from police on the front line that having the warrants in place leads to lowering tensions and a quicker dispersal of gang members. Our commitment of 700 additional officers working on organised crime is having clear and tangible benefits unlike other silly policies suggested in this House such as asking gang members to take off their patches and giving them a ticket for hanging out together.Vanushi Walters: What feedback has she received on these law changes?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: What I hear directly from front-line police is that the laws this Government has implemented are making meaningful difference to their work cracking down on gangs and organised crime. Police officers that I talk to directly specifically cite their overwhelming support for the provisions contained within the CAIL that allows for warrantless searches during periods of heightened gang conflicts—also the new abilities to freeze criminal assets through amendments to the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act. This Government remains committed to smart legislation that cracks down on gangs and organised crime not pointless chest beating that does nothing to back our cops.Vanushi Walters: What further reports has she seen on police targeting organised crime?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: To quote the front of today's New Zealand Herald: Meth: police net record haul". Police have just confirmed that meth bust provisionally calculated is at 747 kilos the largest in New Zealand's history. I would like to commend the hard work of front-line police and Customs in cracking down on illicit drugs to keep that harm out of our communities. I have no doubt that this Government's increase in police funding of 50 percent an additional 1800 officers and continued strengthening of our laws is ensuring police have the rules and the tools they need to actually tackle organised crime."