Operation dents supply

A total of 59 offenders, many patched members of the Mongrel Mob, were arrested in a recent Hawkes Bay/Gisborne operation focusing on the sale and supply of methamphetamine.

Operation Pickles was an undercover operation held from February to April this year, says Detective Rick Bagley. Detective Sergeant Luke Shadbolt, Hastings, headed the team which included six staff from the Hawkes Bay and Detective Eric Hunter who headed the Gisborne phase. Two Special Duties Constables were deployed undercover.

The termination phase (21-22 April in Hawkes Bay and 23 April in Gisborne) involved 68 staff and 35 search warrants throughout the Hawkes Bay. Detective Constable Jude Hill says about a third of the offenders have pleaded guilty. Charges include supplying methamphetamine, cannabis offences and charges of participating in an organised criminal group. Those that have pleaded guilty were to be sentenced on 8 July. “It has made quite a good dent in the supply of P,” says Jude. “Hopefully some of the key patched members will be put away for a while.”

“ But what is has also shown us is that meth is freely available and the focus on the problem and gangs needs to continue,” says Rick.
In Gisborne more than 50 staff executed 12 search warrants, resulting in the arrest of 20 offenders, three of whom were patched Mongrel Mob or Black Power members. A total of 59 charges were laid.

Operation Pickles followed Operation Eeyore, held in October 2003, which also targeted the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine in the Hawkes Bay.

Eeyore showed that the Mongrel Mob was heavily involved in the manufacture and supply of meth, says Rick.