Mongrel Mob gangsters sent back to New Zealand after moves to set up in Australia

Mongrel Mob leader Joe Edmonds is among those to be deported from Australia. Photo / Facebook

Members of the Mongrel Mob have been sent back to New Zealand after attempts to set up chapters in parts of Australia.

At least five members of the gang have been put back on a plane and deported in what is said to be a crackdown by local authorities to stamp out gangs there, according to The West Australian newspaper.

Among those deported is Joe Edmonds, said to be a senior leader, who was stopped at Perth Airport after officials found gang regalia in his luggage last year.

He was placed in immigration detention and had his visa cancelled on character grounds before being sent back to New Zealand, the newspaper says.

Authorities in Western Australia, in particular, are coming down hard on gangs in the area; as it appears to be a popular spot for wannabe gangsters trying to spread their affiliations.

A WA Police Force spokesman told local media: "[We are] aware of the presence in Western Australia of a small number of people with links to the Mongrel Mob street gang.

A Facebook page bearing the name "Mongrel Mob Australia'' has also been set up.

It includes photos and videos of patched members on motorcycles and wearing their signature black and red.

The posts go far back as 2014.

Images of the gang's patches - which usually carry the names of New Zealand areas - start to show Australian city names, such as Melbourne and the Gold Coast, in 2015.

In a message posted to the page that same year, in April, it reads: "Just because this...the NZ based chapter, doesn't mean we ain't here. lol. I'm telling you now, the Mighty Mongrel Mob nation are here and here to stay.

"Playing it smart and [keeping] it in stealth mode until it's time to let our Dogg [Soldiers] into public!'' (sic)