Hugs for alleged Rebel released on bail

There were hugs and tears of joy outside New Plymouth District Court after an allegedly high-ranking patched Rebels gang member was released on electronic bail yesterday.

Dallas Hikaka, 41, a New Plymouth psychiatric nurse, has been in custody since the beginning of September when police swooped on about 20 people in Taranaki and Northland.

The arrests followed an extensive drug-related police surveillance operation, code-named Operation Puff, which was aimed at preventing the illegal Australian-based motorcycle gang extending its influence in to New Zealand.

Police allege Hikaka, along with Nathan Couper, 37, and Garry Dewar, 39, are Taranaki Rebels gang members.

All three men were charged with belonging to a criminal gang.

Hikaka and Couper are charged with class A drug offences.

Dewar is charged with cultivating cannabis and stealing electricity from his employer, Powerco.

Hikaka was denied bail on September 9 when he applied to the court to be bailed to live with respected whanau at Parihaka Pa, Pungarehu.

At that time, police opposed the release.