Checkpoints keep northern police busy

Northern checkpoints have proven as effective at catching criminals as preventing non-essential travel.

Last weekend, a 46-year old man was arrested at a checkpoint in Waipu in the early hours of the morning. Police say he smelled of cannabis and a search of the vehicle revealed evidence of methamphetamine production.

Detective Kevan Verry says the man was charged with possession of methamphetamine and utensils as well as for an aggravated robbery that took place in Auckland in February this year.

Last week, a 21-year-old man, who was stopped at a checkpoint on State Highway One, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and ammunition in addition to breaching the Health Act.

Police have also been cracking down on non-essential travel in the north.

Officers at a checkpoint on Mountain Road, north of Kaiwaka, stopped a woman travelling from Auckland to deliver “very rare” goose eggs.

Police say the woman claimed to be on a tight deadline to deliver them to an address 30 kilometres north of the checkpoint.

A plumber was also turned around, despite providing an essential service, because he was travelling to fix a shower 94 kilometres north of the boundary.

Police say another man was turned around while attempting to visit Wellsford to buy puppy food.

 “Only essential travel is currently permitted around the Northland region with proof of an essential reason. Police will have little tolerance for anyone attempting to break the rules,” Police say.

As of yesterday, 107 people have been charged with breaching lockdown rules and 2179 infringement notices have been issued.

Meanwhile, northern Police are also warning of a covid-19 related scam sent by text message.

The Northland District Health Board is aware that people have been receiving messages claiming they have covid-19.

The Health Board says that if someone is a positive case, they will be called by the Ministry of Health, and will not receive a text.

If someone receives a message they believe is a scam, they should report it to www.cert.govt.nz/individuals/common-threats/covid-19-vaccine-scams