Organised-Crime-in-NZ-2010-Public-Version

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Cocaine • By international standards the current cocaine market in New Zealand is believed to be small. • It is possible that organised crime groups will seek to expand the cocaine market in New Zealand. • New Zealand and the Pacific region are used as transit points for shipments of cocaine. Cocaine is derived from the coca plant, which is grown in South America, specifically Colombia, Peru and Bolivia, and there is no evidence that cocaine is currently produced in New Zealand. It is believed that New Zealand’s cocaine market is relatively small, however, during the latter part of 2009 and early 2010, reporting indicated increased availability of cocaine. It is possible that transnational organised crime groups, as well as New Zealand Adult Gangs, might seek to expand the cocaine market in New Zealand. Intercepted shipments of cocaine indicate New Zealand and the Pacific region are used as transit points for illicit drug consignments destined for other international markets. Opiates and opioids • Hospital admissions indicate an increasing number of younger individuals are using opioids. • The New Zealand market is currently dominated by the diversion of opiate-based pharmaceuticals. • It is possible that organised crime groups will seek to exploit any expansion in the opiates and opioids market in New Zealand. There are no current indicators to suggest there is a market for imported heroin in New Zealand and there have been no significant seizures of imported heroin since 2001. While New Zealand has had a long period of relatively low opiate 10 abuse since it was targeted by the Mr Asia syndicate in the 1970s, there are early indications that this market is expanding. Hospital admissions highlight an increasing number of younger individuals who are using potentially addictive opioids 11 . The New Zealand opiate market is currently dominated by the diversion of opiatebased pharmaceuticals, including those that can be obtained via doctor’s prescription. It is difficult to determine the most widely abused opiates in New Zealand. Codeine is most widely available but morphine features more regularly in seizure incidents. The abuse of methadone is also commonly noted. It is possible that any increased use of opiates and other opioids in New Zealand could lead to the recommencement of imported heroin and the expansion of this market by organised crime groups. Scored Opium Pod. 10 An opiate includes, but is not limited to, heroin, opium and methadone. 11 Opioid includes, but is not limited to, morphine, codeine and oxycodone. 10
Burglary, theft and links to organised crime • Organised crime groups and family syndicates continue to be noted for their involvement in volume crime offending. There are ongoing examples of New Zealand Adult and Youth Gang, as well as family syndicate, involvement in burglary, theft and a range of other ‘volume’ 12 crimes. Investigations reveal theft and burglary are often undertaken to support a drug habit. Organised crime groups in New Zealand are also involved in the movement of illicit and stolen commodities to satisfy national supply and demand. Both the road and air transport networks are utilised to move goods including, for example, stolen property, firearms, counterfeit items and illicit drugs. Stolen vehicle and parts ready for export. Operation Beryl An operation was launched in 2009 following the identification of organised offending relating to the theft of over 500 Toyota Hiace Vans in the Auckland Region. A small percentage of these stolen vehicles were subsequently recovered. The police targeted ‘chop shops’ as well as the offenders who were stealing the vehicles. To date there have been 12 arrests and 444 criminal charges laid. In addition, the operation has resulted in the recovery of 127 or NZ$690,000 worth of stolen vehicles or parts, four firearms, stolen property, methamphetamine and cash. Parts were being shipped to the Middle East via the United Arab Emirates, sometimes at a rate of one container per week. This highly organised criminal syndicate had a significant impact on vehicle theft across Auckland. Violence • The majority of organised crime groups engage in violent offending. • New Zealand Adult Gangs engage in overt displays of violent offending commonly perpetrated within and against other organised crime groups. Many of these incidents remain unreported. Organised crime groups provide a structure as well as a set of values and behaviours that actively encourage and normalise antisocial behaviour, including violence. In New Zealand, the majority of organised crime groups engage in violence and intimidation as a way of life, in random acts of aggression or in self defence. New Zealand Adult Gangs often engage in overt displays of violent offending commonly linked to incidents of both inter and intra gang tension. Gang members in New Zealand are noted for their ongoing involvement in ‘standovers’ 13 and ‘taxing’, 14 which are often linked to the illicit drug trade. This is consistent with international reporting that notes violence is used to enforce criminal business dealings and recover debts. 12 Volume crime generally includes burglary, unlawful taking of motor vehicles and general theft (including theft from motor vehicles and shoplifting). 13 A standover involves the use of intimidation to create fear of consequences if a certain demand is not complied with. 14 Taxing is the removal or theft of property, drugs or money by a gang member in payment of a debt, whether real or imagined. Taxing often involves the use of intimidation or violence to overcome resistance. 11
Page 1 and 2: Organised Crime in New Zealand 2010
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS INTRODUCTION..............
Page 5 and 6: ORGANISED CRIME GROUPS AND MEMBERS
Page 7 and 8: ILLEGAL MARKETS Illicit drugs Metha
Page 9: Organised crime continues to be lin
Page 13 and 14: Illegal trade, possession and use o
Page 15 and 16: Information and Communications Tech
Page 17 and 18: Electronic crime (e-crime) • Cybe
Page 19 and 20: Intellectual Property (IP) crime (c
Page 21 and 22: EFFORTS TO DISRUPT AND DISMANTLE OR
Page 23: Crimestoppers is an independent cha

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