Mongols MC gang busted after alleged Mexican cartel drug links, five arrested
Five people linked to the Mongols Outlaw Motorcycle Gang are facing charges after a five-month-long police operation blocked an alleged methamphetamine importation ring.
The National Organised Crime Group’s Motorcycle Gang Unit (MGU) ended Operation Raider this past month with the help of the Gang Disruption Units based in Auckland.
Detective Senior Sergeant Damian Espinosa from the National Gang Unit said information was provided by US authorities, which led to the MGU targeting associates of the Mongols gang who were allegedly importing methamphetamine linked to a Mexican cartel.
Police shut down the operation, but also impacted the gang’s presence in the North Island, including its pad being identified in South Auckland.
“As a result of our investigation, it has led to the chapter losing its pad that it was operating out of in the Tuakau area,” Espinosa said.
“It’s not only a great result for that local community, but also those vulnerable areas where criminals are trying to profit off peddling drugs.
“We are continuing to apply pressure on these illegal criminal operations in New Zealand, closely tying in with international partners to target transnational networks.”
The men charged include patched members, prospects and associates, with a 45-year-old senior office holder being charged with four counts of importing a class A controlled drug, two counts of conspiring to import a class A controlled drug and unlawfully possessing ammunition.
A 42-year-old prospect was charged with two counts of importing a class A controlled drug and a 33-year-old prospect was charged with prohibited display of gang insignia.
A 43-year-old associate has also been charged with cultivating cannabis.
Meanwhile, a 58-year-old woman who is an associate of the gang was charged with two counts of importing a class A controlled drug, and two counts of conspiring to import a class A controlled drug.
Espinosa said all five charged remain before the Waitākere District Court.
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