Mataura Mongrel Mob members found guilty of violent Southland crimes
RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Six members of the Mataura Mongrel Mob have been found guilty of serious assaults and kidnapping.
Police started investigating a spate of crimes in Southland in January 2022, including drive-by shootings and violent assaults that left people critically injured.
Officers
arrested 21 people in June 2023 on a raft of charges
.
Inspector Mike Bowman said six people ultimately went on trial in Christchurch last month.
"I'm incredibly pleased that the thorough investigation by our staff has resulted in convictions in court, meaning those responsible for this offending will be held to account," he said.
"The victims of these assaults were members of the Mongrel Mob, and in most cases were uncooperative with police.
"This was a very complex, difficult investigation and the prosecution of this group has been one of the more challenging cases for Southland police in recent times. This investigation is testament to the fact that everyone can expect to be held to account for violent offending, no matter who you are or who the victims are."
Police should be proud of their work, Bowman said.
"Our role at the time of these arrests was to help ensure that whānau and household members directly impacted by the arrests were well-supported," he said.
"This involved working alongside our partner agencies to provide them the ongoing support they needed, and to help ensure any further harm and offending was minimised."
Other matters related to the operation were still before the courts.
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