Six Mongrel Mob members have been sentenced following a “spree of violent crimes” in Southland three years ago as an internal gang feud spilled out onto the streets.
In January 2022, the area began experiencing a slew of violent offending that spanned several months, including drive-by shootings and violent assaults that left people critically injured.
Among the incidents were a drive-by shooting in Centre St, Invercargill in January 2022; attacks in February and in April last year, resulting in seriously injured people being dropped off at Gore Hospital; and a drive-by shooting on Elizabeth St, Invercargill in June 2022.
Operation Pakari – an investigation by Southland Police into the incidents – finished in June 2023 with the arrest of 21 people.
On July 1 this year, six defendants went on trial in Christchurch on a total of 12 charges. The charges included wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, and injuring with intent to injure.
Yesterday, the group were sentenced in the Christchurch High Court to jail terms ranging from three years and four months, to six years in prison.
“The sentencing of all six offenders sends a clear message to organised crime groups that behaviour like this will not be tolerated in our community,” Inspector Mike Bowman said today.
“Those who choose to offend in this way, causing this type of harm, can expect to be held accountable.”
Bowman thanked the investigation team who “worked incredibly hard to put a halt to this offending, and our officers and partner agencies who continue to work with our communities through our Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities programme”.
“Part of our job is continuing to ensure that whānau and household members directly impacted by the offending and sentencing are well-supported,” he said.
“The operation is a great piece of work that’s happened in the Southland policing area, which has seen a 17% reduction in overall offences since June 2023.
“Our work continues, and we thank our communities for their ongoing support.”
