Nine arrests in Wairoa gang crackdown

File photo / NZ Herald

Police this morning closed in on Wairoa's Mongrel Mob gang in an operation they believe will undermine gang activity in the area.

Nine gang members were arrested after Gisborne CIB staff searched a number of properties in Wairoa and Napier in relation to the shooting of a Black Power gang member outside the Mongrel Mob Headquarters in Wairoa last October.

The nine arrested will appear in the Wairoa, Napier and Gisborne District Courts on charges including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, participation in a criminal group and offering to supply methamphetamine.

Those arrested include a number of senior members of the gang, said Eastern Police District criminal investigations manager Detective Inspector Ross Pinkham.

"Police are confident that today's operation will seriously undermine the gangs influence in Wairoa," he said.

Gisborne CIB would also continue to investigate the shooting of a Mongrel Mob member at the Mobil Service Station in Wairoa on October 29, believed to have been committed by Black Power in retaliation for the earlier shooting.

Police received some public help after images of the shooting were released last week but further information was still being sought.

Police were aware there were a number of people who know the identity of all those involved in the shooting and those people were urged to contact Gisborne police.

Mr Pinkham said police would continue to take a hard line on the two gangs who between them were responsible for many serious incidents in the Wairoa district over the past decade.

"Police will not tolerate gang members involved in organised crime activity, drugs and inter-gang rivalry."

Police would provide support to people in Wairoa who were in a position to help them bring about some change there.

"Some people need to come to terms with the fact that there is a serious gang problem in Wairoa," he said.

Wairoa Mayor Les Probert was pleased to see this development.

"We are tired of all this Mongrel Mob business. The media often thrive on it.

"It is good to see the police are making progress."

- NZPA