Armed police used a blowtorch to gain entry to Satan's Slaves headquarters during a dawn raid, seizing property

Armed police used a blowtorch to gain entry to a motorbike gang's headquarters during a dawn raid, seizing property to help pay for more than $100,000 in outstanding court fines.
Twelve police, including four who were armed, helped district court staff gain entry to the Satan's Slaves headquarters in Luxford St, Wellington, yesterday, impounding a Ford Explorer, a Harley-Davidson motorbike and $2000 worth of electronic goods owned by two gang members.One owed about $18,000 in fines and the other $84,000.Detective Sergeant Martin Todd said that, though the pair did not answer the door, police knew they were inside so used a blowtorch to get past the strengthened door."We had to use force and began using a blowtorch but, once one hinge had been blasted off, they decided to open the door.
"You will have to pay your fines even if you are a gang hiding behind fortified doors. It has caught up with them - items have been seized which they treasure."
District court staff asked for police help during the raid because the gang members were judged to be a risk.