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One of the top members of the Waikato Mongrel Mob has appeared in court facing serious methamphetamine charges.
His arrest follows a public relations campaign, in recent years, by the Hamilton-based chapter to change the ‘gangs are bad’ narrative.
The man, as well as a woman associated with the gang, appeared in Hamilton District Court on Friday after being arrested Thursday night for three search warrants in Hamilton.
Both were granted name suppression.
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MARK TAYLOR / stuff
The Mongrel Mob rig in Hamilton was quiet Friday morning after searches across the city overnight.
Commercial amounts of methamphetamine, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and cannabis were reportedly found during searches, along with cash and drug paraphernalia.
The man was charged with participating in an organized crime group, importing methamphetamine, selling and supplying methamphetamine, and possessing methamphetamine for supply.
The woman faces similar charges.
The man briefly appeared in court Friday afternoon and was denied bail.
Four of his five charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, court documents show.
Community Magistrate Kathryn Wilson granted the man the provisional name suppression.
He will be held until his next court appearance in early December.
A small group of supporters recognized the man as he was led out of the courtroom.
Waikato District Investigations Manager, Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley, said the arrests were the result of an ongoing operation targeting the supply of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs throughout the district.
He said Waikato police are committed to investigating organized crime groups that “continue to supply methamphetamine and other drugs to our most vulnerable members of our communities, taking money out of their pockets to fund their own greed.”
The Armed Criminal Squad assisted with the orders.
About two years ago, the Waikato Mongrel Mob underwent a major reorganization of its operations.
He removed his membership from the Mongrel Mob Presidents table, added ‘Kingdom’ to his name, and opened its doors to the public.
MARK TAYLOR / THINGS
Louise Hutchinson was hired to correct good from evil and change the way the public viewed the gang.
In a bold move, the gang also offered an olive branch to their arch nemesis Black Power.
The organization wanted members who have career aspirations, volunteer in the community, and are committed to quitting drugs.
He also recruited his own public relations liaison member.
Louise Hutchinson was hired to correct good from evil and change the way the public viewed the gang.
A press release issued by Hutchinson in October, for example, said police had again been denounced for “wrongly linking the Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom movement for change to methamphetamine trafficking.”
However, the police believed that it was a public relations tactic to influence public opinion and attract new members.
Hutchinson has been a volunteer in the Kingdom for over a year. She spends her time organizing media interviews to help spread the gang’s views to the public.
The police narrative ‘gangs are bad’ annoys Hutchinson, who previously told Stuff that he controlled how the public perceived them.
His role was not a tactic to recruit, but to bring people together, he said at the time.
“Ultimately, my passion is human rights and social justice and it was a perfect fit.”
During the coronavirus lockdown, the mob delivered food to various Waikato organizations.
They also stood guard at a Jamia Masjid mosque in Hamilton during Jummah (Friday prayers) after the attacks on the Christchurch mosque in March 2019.
There are more than 6,700 patched and potential members in New Zealand, an increase of 1,400 members since the current government took office in 2017.
The police encourage anyone affected by drug addiction to seek help through the alcohol and drug helpline at 0800 787 797 or free text message 868.
Mongrel Mob responds
DOMINICO ZAPATA / THINGS
Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingfdom President Sonny Fatu at the Jamia Masjid Mosque in Claudelands, Hamilton, following the Christchurch terror attacks.
Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom Chapter President Sonny Fatupaito confirmed that his home was one of those searched by police Thursday night, however, he said no methamphetamine or weapons were found.
However, other items such as laptops, iPads, cell phones and documentation in connection with the warrants were seized.
He also said that the arrest of a high-ranking member of the Waikato Mongrel Mafia Kingdom was not related to records of his property and the Kingdom’s headquarters.
“Since this case is now before the court, I will not comment, as media coverage can affect the process and potentially affect the case, and I do not want to prejudice a person’s right to a fair trial,” he said in a statement told the media.
“I strongly state that as Arikinui of the Mob Mongrel Kingdom of Waikato I have zero tolerance for the importation, sale, supply and possession of methamphetamine in our confederation, and my position is well known in the Waikato and Aotearoa region.
“My ongoing focus as a leader is to influence, promote and empower our members to choose to live positive, constructive and productive lives free of alcohol and drugs, and to guide them in a direction away from criminal offenses.
“Our well known kaupapa; Mana Tane, Mana Wahine and Mana Whanau are designed and developed to help our whanau address their intergenerational trauma, prompting them to take personal responsibility for the actions they take, which impact both themselves and their family and our lives. communities. “
