A statement released by the New Zealand Police today says
the task force is strategically based in Tauranga to help deal with organised
crime, methamphetamine production and importation and asset recovery.
The NZ Herald reports the organised crime taskforce
expansion into the Bay of Plenty is largely due to the growing numbers of
Australian bikies, particularly the Comancheros and Bandidos, who have been
deported from Australia for their past criminal histories and failure of the
"good character" legal test.
The encroachment of the long-established Australian chapters
of the Comancheros and Bandidos onto Kiwi soil comes after another Australian
bikie gang, the Rebels, as well as the Head Hunters, established chapters in
Tauranga over the last few years.
"Organised criminals with transnational ties are
operating in the region," says Police Commissioner Mike Bush.
The appeal of Tauranga as a base for bikie gangs comes from
the presence of the busiest port in the country - and the potential to smuggle
large drug quantities through it on container ships.
"Tauranga is an area of growth for New Zealand and good
people are setting themselves up in Tauranga," Assistant Commissioner
Richard Chambers said in anticipation of the opening.
"Organised criminals are too. Being on their back
doorstep is the right thing to do."
Making up the new team will be six detectives focusing
exclusively on organised crime in the Tauranga region, and reporting back to
the larger police base in Wellington.
New Zealand police have for years now warned of the threat
deported "Kiwi" gang members, many who have spent the majority of
their lives in Australia, would in time strengthen New Zealand gangs and
increase their criminal efficiency.
SOURCE: TVNZ
Source: Biker Trash Network