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

Family syndicates
Organised crime groups in New Zealand can also be linked by family relationships. Family syndicates are noted
throughout New Zealand and are involved in a range of offending including burglary, violence, threats, possession of
weapons, drugs and vehicle crime.
Transnational organised crime groups
Law enforcement continues to identify transnational organised crime groups impacting on New Zealand. These groups
often have links to international criminals or networks, increasing the risk that they pose. Commonly linked by
either ethnicity, or their involvement in a specific illegal market, these groups are often flexible and entrepreneurial.
West African, Vietnamese, Chinese, Iranian, Italian, Romanian, Pakistani and Malaysian organised crime groups have all
been noted for their involvement in a range of organised offending including fraud, Intellectual Property (IP) crime and
illicit drug activity. Asian organised crime groups in particular continue to pose a serious threat to New Zealand, due to
their ongoing involvement and central role in the illicit drug market.
Facilitators and specialists
Outsiders are commonly recruited or exploited where specialised skills are required to facilitate organised criminal
activity in New Zealand. They may be outside contractors or part of a criminal network and include complicit lawyers,
accountants, chemists and computer hackers, or even those with access to particular goods including firearms, false
documents or precursor chemicals.
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