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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

New Zealand - Undercover police infiltrate gangs

OFF THE WIRE
odt.co.nz
Undercover police posing as gang members infiltrated the Hells Angels and Red Devils motorcycle gangs leading to nationwide raids today which uncovered bombs, guns and drugs.
This morning, police in Nelson crashed a bulldozer through the front entrance of the Red Devils' gang headquarters.
By 3pm, 240 staff including the heavily armed Special Tactics Group, specialist search teams, armed offenders squads and the army bomb squad had searched more than 30 properties in Nelson, Blenheim, Picton, Mapua Motueka, Takaka and Auckland, including the Hells Angels' headquarters in Mt Eden.
Eighty police from Wellington and Auckland flew to Nelson to assist with the raids.
Police arrested 28 people, who were facing charges including dealing drugs - including LSD, methamphetamine and ecstasy - and being a member of an organised crime group.
Police also seized two pipe bombs, various firearms including rifles, shotguns and pistols, and 11 motorbikes.
Finding explosive devices was a real concern and raised the stakes of public safety, because gangs only made bombs with the intention of killing or causing serious damage to life and property, said Tasman District Commander Superintendent Gary Knowles.
"These gangs are not a bunch of good old boys with bikes. They are organised criminals and they are not welcome in this community.''
The raid had confirmed the police belief the Red Devils were a puppet gang for the Hells Angels, a prominent global gang, and had been heavily involved in organised crime since they first appeared in Nelson two years ago, Mr Knowles said.
"The gang's supporters and their legal representatives have constantly denied these claims. What we have revealed today is the extent of the gang's firearms trading, the work they have done to develop drug supply lines, extortion, burglaries and moving stolen property around the country.''
Over the past 18 months undercover agents had gained access to gang members' homes, businesses and gang pads.
One officer had become a gang member, gaining free access to the fortified gang headquarters and attending secret meetings of the gang's inner sanctum, which allowed valuable evidence to be collected.
Mr Knowles said the Red Devils had been "successfully undermined'' and police would now focus on other like-minded groups.
Police Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope said the Nelson operation was a crucial part of the national police strategy against organised crime, and praised all involved.
Infiltration of the Auckland and Wanganui Hells Angels chapters had only been possible with the backing of the Red Devils gang, he said.
"The Red Devils and Hells Angels also facilitated one of our undercover officers gaining access to the headquarters of the Headhunters gang in Auckland.''
Police found information which confirmed there was "no doubt'' the Nelson Red Devils would eventually morph into a Hells Angels chapter, Mr Pope said.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said police should be congratulated for undermining the gang before it established a strong foothold in the top of the South Island.
"However, every community in New Zealand also needs to take a hard look at their local bikie gang. Don't be fooled, and don't buy into their 'charity work' and other PR - the gangs are simply fronts for serious organised crime and drug dealing.''
Police Minister Judith Collins also congratulated police on the bust.
The discovery of bomb-making equipment was particularly concerning because it showed the extreme measures organised crime would take to protect their businesses, she said.
"Explosive devices are incredibly dangerous and indiscriminate, and present a serious risk to innocent members of the public.
"This will not be tolerated, and anyone caught building these devices can expect to be shown little mercy under the law.''