Five people associated with the Mongols Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in the North Island have been arrested after allegedly importing methamphetamine from a Mexican cartel.
Police said information provided by US authorities lead the national gang unit to target associates of the gang based in New Zealand.
In the past month, police shut down the operation after the arrests were made, which police said had an impact on gang’s presence in the North Island with its pad being identified in rural south Auckland.
Detective Senior Sergeant Damian Espinosa said the chapter lost the pad as a result of the investigation, which was a “great result for that local community, but also those vulnerable areas where criminals are trying to profit off peddling drugs”.
“We are continuing to apply pressure on these illegal criminal operations in New Zealand, closely tying in with international partners to target transnational networks.”
The men charged included patched members and prospects, including a 45-year-old senior officer charged with four counts of importing a class A controlled drug, two counts of conspires to import class A controlled drug, and unlawfully possessing ammunition.
Along with the senior officer, a 42-year-old prospect was also charged with two counts of importing a class A controlled drug, a 33-year-old gang prospect was charged with prohibited display of gang insignia and a 43-year-old was charged with cultivating cannabis.
Another associate of the gang, a 58-year-old woman, has been charged with two counts of importing a class A controlled drug, and two counts of conspiring to import a class A controlled drug.
Espinosa said all five remain before the Waitākere District Court.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a billboard blunder for Auckland’s CRL, dangerous turbulence on a flight, and a new twist in the Beckham family feud. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME