Police this morning executed search warrants on the current addresses of Mongrel Mob members and their associates after an eight month operation targeting the gang's drug activity in Marlborough.
Simultaneous search warrants have also been executed across six Police Districts which concludes a phase of an ongoing investigation into criminal activity by the Mongrel Mob.
The operation has focused primarily on serious drug offending by Mongrel Mob members across the Tasman Police District in Blenheim, Picton, Nelson and Hokitika. Search warrants have also been executed in Lower Hutt, Auckland, Havelock North, Palmerston North and Christchurch. The operation has been supported by the Organised and Financial Crime Agency NZ.
In total, about 100 Police around the country have been involved in this morning's operation, along with Police drug dogs.
Marlborough Area Commander Inspector Simon Feltham said a team of Police in Blenheim had put in an enormous amount of work gathering evidence about the gang's drug dealing activities and that had led further offenders being identified outside the Marlborough Area.
"Since the Mongrel Mob turned up in Marlborough Police have been vigilant in monitoring their activities. Neither Police nor the Marlborough community are prepared to tolerate their drug dealing.
"This operation has resulted in the arrest of all of the senior members of this criminal group in Marlborough and it sends a very clear message to their associates that they are not, and never will be, welcome here."
Nationally 20 search warrants were executed and 22 people arrested, including seven patched Mongrel Mob members.
That included nine Marlborough addresses where 14 people were arrested.
As part of the operation a clandestine drug laboratory was located at an Auckland address and cannabis grow rooms were found in Hokitika and Wakamarina.
At a Nelson address a large quantity of plastic bags commonly used for the distribution of methamphetamine, with Mongrel Mob insignia printed, on them were recovered.
Quantities of cash, about 1kg of dried cannabis and 24 plants, more than 9 grams of methamphetamine, a firearm, stolen computers and drug utensils have been recovered.
Young children were present at some addresses and Police have made three referrals to CYF.
A total of 250 charges have been laid. They include:
- Possession of class A and C drugs for supply;
- Conspiring to supply or deal methamphetamine;
- Conspiring to supply or deal class C and B drugs;
- Offering to supply methamphetamine
- Offering to supply class B and C drugs
- Possession of class B and C drugs
- Theft
- Burglary
Police say further charges and arrests are likely.
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