Rise of gang activity in Southland
Wednesday, 17 April 2019
A gang expert says increased gang activity around New Zealand is directly linked to Australia's immigration policy.
Nationally police have ended Operation Novus on Wednesday that targeted the Comancheros.
Twelve people were arrested as part of the ongoing effort to disrupt criminal groups in the southern district on Tuesday, but on Wednesday police would not confirm if the southern raids were part of Operation Novus.
**READ MORE:
* Two in court on drugs charges following Comanchero gang raids
* Further arrests in Comanchero Motorcycle gang operation
* Spasms of citizenship don't redeem gangs**
Nor did police confirm if any of the 12 arrested in Invercargill, Gore and Queenstown were gang members.
Gang expert Dr Jarrod Gilbert said there had been a rise in gang activity in Southland.
'We need to keep it in perspective though,' Gilbert said.
A gangs influence in Southland could be overstated, Gilbert said.
There was nothing in particular in Southland that would make it attractive for gangs to target it but nationally gangs have undergone a growth period, he said.
He is adamant the Comancheros presence in New Zealand is directly linked to Australia's 501 policy.
Section 501 of Australia's Migration Act allows deportation of long term residents 'on character grounds' and in 2018, 14 New Zealand-born, patched members of the Comancheros were deported.
Six of the deported group set up a Comancheros chapter in New Zealand.
'All done and sworn in…welcome aboard to my brothers in New Zealand,' an Australian member of the Comancheros said on an Instagram post.
A new gang on established turf caused friction, which could turn into violence, Gilbert said.
'In a crowded room, someone inevitably gets elbowed,' Gilbert said.
As methamphetamine becomes more prevalent, there will be a gap in the market for gangs to fill.
Clutha District mayor Bryan Cadogan has been outspoken about a potential turf war in the south as the demand for P increases.
Cadogan asked for everyone in the lower South Island to wake up to the impact meth was having on communities.