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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
Police believe nearly 900 people joined a gang this year, a 13 percent increase from the previous year.
Chris McKeen / Stuff
Police believe nearly 900 people joined a gang this year. (File photo)
Police data show that they have identified just over 7,000 people as gang members, although the number is likely to be higher.
This is a 13 percent increase over the previous year.
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* Increase in illegal trade in gang-linked pounamu, says iwi
* Eight people arrested and cars seized after the November gang procession in Auckland.
* Brother motorcycle gang leaders with criminal records will be deported to New Zealand
Notably, several gang members with ties to New Zealand have been deported from Australia, known as 501s in reference to the legislation supporting deportations.
Local chapters of the Mongols, bandits and comanchers have emerged.
Detective Sergeant Ray Sunkel said Australian imports are more difficult and bring a more violent mentality.
Following the arrests against the Mongol motorcycle gang in the Bay of Plenty earlier this year, community advocate and Black Power life member Dennis O’Reilly said gangs such as the Mongols, established by people deported from Australia , they operated in a completely different way from gangs. Zeelanders were used to seeing.
“They are all New Zealanders by dint of being exported here below 501, but they are not playing games,” he said.
Police have admitted that they face challenges in fighting organized crime and gangs.
Earlier this year, Detective Superintendent Greg Williams of the National Organized Crime Group said Morning report there had been “general gang arming” over the past three or four years, as well as several gangs increasing in size.
In the last year, police have tried to disrupt gangs by seizing $ 230 million in assets and filing money laundering charges against 118 gang members.
Video courtesy of RNZ
