Operation Cobalt- Charges Follow Mataura Arrests
Three Mongrel Mob members were arrested in Mataura on
Friday, following the
execution of a search warrant at
the gang’s headquarters in Albion Street.
The search
warrant was undertaken by Southland Police and
Southern
District’s Organised Crime Group, following a
serious gang-related assault
earlier this week.
Two
men, aged 33 and 36, have jointly been charged with two
counts of
unlawful possession of a firearm. They appeared
in Invercargill District
Court on Saturday.
The
third man, a 30-year-old, was charged with assault with
intent to injure.
He is scheduled to appear in
Invercargill District Court on 18 August.
“Police
have absolutely no tolerance for this type of offending in
our
communities,” says Detective Inspector Stu
Harvey.
“As part of Operation Cobalt, we will
continue to have a significant focus
on targeting and
disrupting this unlawful gang activity in
Southland.”
“We welcome information from anyone
who has concerns about gang activity or
the illegal
possession of firearms in their community, and encourage
people
to get in touch with us.”
You can report online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105.
Information can also be provided anonymously
via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555
111 or at www.crimestoppers-nz.org.