Armed squad uses stun grenades and new powers to confiscate Mob's meeting place
Police used stun grenades to enter and seize a Dunedin Mongrel Mob headquarters, and gave a colourful glimpse into the underworld at play.
Imitation guns, air rifles and a baseball bat embedded with nails were confiscated after the armed offenders Squad raided the house in the suburb of Corstorphine in what was described as a blow to the gang's local chapter.
A tour of the house after the raid revealed Mongrel Mob insignia from around New Zealand adorning the walls and a clubroom resembling a small pub.
The headquarters housed a large television, jukebox, bar table and stools, pinball machine, pool table, video games, dart board, and a table tennis table.
The two-bedroom house also had CCTV monitors cut into the wall to keep a watch on the house.
The lounge was strewn with newspapers, and the walls covered with pictures of gang associates, a feature which would help police in their investigations.
Also on the wall was a framed picture of heavy metal band Iron Maiden.
Detective Inspector Steve McGregor pointed out how the colour associated with the gang - red - has even influenced the gang's colour choice of vacuum cleaner.
A bare mattress in a bedroom showed that while members could have slept there, it was not used as an official residence, but more as a place for members to meet.
The two gang members inside the house offered no resistance, and one was arrested on drugs charges, Mr McGregor said.
The former state house had been seized for the Crown under a new law which allows confiscation of property used in criminal activities, he said.
The raid was part of an operation which has resulted in the arrest of 18 Mongrel Mob gang members. All charges filed are drug-related.
Mr McGregor said enhancements to the new law, the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act, which came into force in December, enabled police to attack the heart of organised crime.
Police had identified more than $36 million worth of assets believed to have been obtained through criminal activity - of which $25 million was from drug offending.
"Their ability to recruit and retain members has been dealt a blow ... if you remove the leadership where do they turn?" said Mr McGregor.
The legislation allows for the proceeds of crime to be forfeited to the Crown based on the civil standard of proof, balance of probabilities, rather than being dependent on securing a criminal conviction.
- Otago Daily Times
