9 Jun 2021

Police defend Waikato focus in FBI linked operation

From Morning Report, 8:20 am on 9 June 2021

An FBI-led operation that resulted in the arrests of several top gang members in New Zealand continued overnight, resulting in the arrests of more than 800 people across the globe.

So far, New Zealand police have arrested 35 people as part of Operation Trojan Shield, including senior members of the Comancheros, the Waikato Mongrel Mob and the Head Hunters.

Nine hundred charges have been laid and three point seven million dollars worth of assets seized.

A spokesperson for the Waikato Mongrel Mob, Louise Hutchinson, says their chapter has been unfairly targetted.

The Unversity of Canterbury's director of criminal justice, Jarrod Gilbert, isn't convinced there will be a long term effect on supply.

He thinks other drug traffickers will soon come to meet the market.

Detective Superintendent Greg Williams led the New Zealand arm of the operation.

He spoke to Guyon Espiner.