Police have arrested eight people today in a crackdown on
drugs aimed at Mongrel Mob gang members and associates in
Dunedin.
The arrests are mainly for alleged cannabis offences and
follow a six-month investigation led by Dunedin's Organised
Crime Squad.
Seven people were arrested at Dunedin addresses and one at a
Gisborne address. Police also executed nine search warrants
in Dunedin and Oamaru.
"All those arrested are members or associates of Mongrel Mob
Aotearoa. Cannabis was also located at a number of addresses
during the course of the search warrants," a police spokesman
said.
The investigation targeted key members of the gang's
hierarchy in Dunedin and Mataura, police said.
Those arrested face a variety of criminal charges,
including participation in an organised criminal enterprise,
conspiracy to supply cannabis, possession for supply of
cannabis and over 50 charges of selling cannabis.
They were due to appear in court in Dunedin and Gisborne
today.
Property - including a caravan and three motorcycles - was
seized as being linked to "the organised crime enterprise".
"Targeting members of organised crime groups and drug dealing
offending is a high priority for Southern District Police and
we will continue to pay attention to those who grow,
manufacture and deal in illicit drugs," said District Crime
Services Manager, Detective Inspector Steve McGregor.
"In Dunedin, Mongrel Mob Aotearoa has a history of
involvement in the illegal distribution of controlled drugs.
Today's arrests are a step forward in reducing the presence
of illegal drugs in our community, and decreasing the
violence and intimidation that often sits alongside," he
said.
- ODT Online
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