NZ-formed gangs largely expelled after successful Police, intelligence operation
Christchurch, Drongonia
September 5, 2022 | Richard Barlow
Police raided a rural property 50km south of Richmond as part of a
wider crackdown on gang activity.
During a press conference today, Police Minister Karen Knight and Police National Commander Peter Leyland fronted the media to disclose details about the Police-led crackdown on New Zealand gangs.
The months-long operation, which can now be identified publicly as Operation Drawbridge, involved the Police, both Immigration Drongonia and Immigration New Zealand, City and District Councils, and intelligence agencies such as the DSSB. The operation began in late-January this year and concluded "...much earlier than expected", according to Police.
TVDG can now reveal that the operation resulted in over 300 arrests, with 263 of those being New Zealand nationals living in Drongonia. Immigration Drongonia reported that of the 263 arrested, 261 have been deported with the remaining two awaiting trial in Nelson. Law enforcement and crime experts say such a high deportation rate is unusual for an operation of this scale, however, the newly-released operation plan reveals that the deportations had been pre-planned with Immigration New Zealand prior to the commencement of the operation.
Police have been quick to point out, however, that their enforcement against organised crime has not ended. "These packs of thugs shouldn't rest easy. We're not going to stop going after gangs if and when they rear their ugly heads, ever. This operation, while successfully having wiped out what we estimate is about ninety percent of their infrastructure and manpower, is not the be-all-end-all of anti-gang enforcement in Drongonia." Commander Leyland said during the press conference. Police Minister Knight added, "The fight against organised crime is an ongoing one, and its one we're willing to fight - and be winning, forever."
A confidential source close to the New Zealand-based Mongrel Mob told TVDG that the gang is "reeling internally" as "...several major players were arrested. Big people with big influence." One such individual believed to have been arrested was Hemi "Spitty" Matuawhenua, longtime member and leader of the Coromandel chapter of the gang. Insiders told TVDG he was sent by Mongrel Mob leaders to oversee the Drongonian operations before being caught up in the busts.
It has been estimated that during the raids and roadside searches conducted under the operation's umbrella, Police seized illicit substances with a street value of over $110m, more than 100 illegal firearms, $33.5m in illegal currency, $450,000 in counterfeit New Zealand and Drongonian currency, stolen property and retail goods with a value of over $20m, as well as several stolen vehicles.
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