|
 |
|
|
|
12 July 2004
 |
In a hard-hitting speech to a National Party conference, Police Association President Greg O'Connor said motorcycle and ethnic gangs had grown into "highly organised and cooperative" criminal groups from the proceeds of illicit sales of pure methamphetamine, or P.
And he said the gangs were "more paranoid" about losing their licences for speeding or drink-driving than they feared getting caught for drug dealing or intimidation. The Mongrel Mob was even using designated drivers.
"Previous sworn enemies like the Hell's Angels and Headhunters now cooperate not only in Auckland but around the country," Mr O'Connor said.
"The Hell's Angels chapters now exist in Hastings and Wanganui and they are believed to be moving into Nelson as a beachhead into the South Island."
The Headhunters had three gang premises in Auckland and Wellsford, and were believed to be forcing farmers in the Wellsford area to grow cannabis for them, he said.
"Members of New Zealand gangs sit on international boards and are regularly travelling to meetings internationally to initiate and consolidate their links with international crime syndicates."
At the trial of a Headhunters gang member last year, tape recordings were played of him boasting about making $1 million a year from dealing in the drug speed.
Police found "unexplained income" of more than $290,000 in the past few years when they went through his records. But the lawyer for the gang member said the income came from "hard work and property development".
Mr O'Connor called for tough anti-gang and asset-seizure laws. "We (police) warned about the methamphetamine epidemic last decade and were sadly proved right. We are now warning about organised crime using the same information sources. Don't ignore us. Resource and empower police to tackle organised criminal gangs."
The speech was delivered after a promise to crack down on criminals by National leader Don Brash, who said last week he would scrap parole for most offenders.
The message has been resoundingly backed by party faithful but there was a rebuke yesterday from an expert in prisoner rehabilitation, Kim Workman.
In a speech to the conference, Mr Workman said prison was not a deterrent to criminal behaviour.
Dr Brash continued, saying he would investigate high-rise prisons to lock up the expected 50 per cent increase in prisoner numbers if parole is scrapped.
