GANGS UNITED IN BUSINESS

Networking has moved beyond business into the world of organised
crime, say Rotorua police, who have broken a sophisticated network of
gang alliances.

The alliances connect Auckland drugs dealers with gangs as business
partners in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

Some of the gangs held annual general meetings, took minutes at their
meetings and created business plans, police said.

This information is the result of a six-week undercover drug
operation, which was based in Rotorua.

Thirty-three people were arrested this week on charges of selling LSD,
methamphetamines and cannabis. Forty homes were raided by 80 police
officers.

Undercover officers managed to infiltrate Filthy Few chapters at
Rotorua and Waihi. They befriended gang members and bought drugs from
them.

They also established that the Filthy Few, a Bay of Plenty gang, has
strong business relationships with two Auckland gangs, Hell's Angels
and Headhunters.

The Filthy Few is also affiliated with the Magogs (Taranaki), Titans
and Outcasts (Waikato) and Greasy Dogs (Bay of Plenty).

It does not cooperate with Highway 61, the largest motorcycle gang in
New Zealand, which is affiliated with the Tribesmen from Auckland and
with Australian syndicates.

Detective Inspector Graham Bell said the gang network in New Zealand,
estimated to comprise between 25,000 and 30,000 people, was more
organised than most people realised. Although rival gangs would not
normally cooperate, when it came to "taking care of business" they
were willing to work together for profit.

Two notable exceptions were the fiercely independent Mongrel Mob and
Black Power gangs.

A source at national police headquarters confirmed that a number of
gangs were doing "very well" financially and took pains to be
discreet, avoiding wearing patches in public or travelling in groups.

"You just don't know - you could be talking to [a gang member] in a
suit," he said.

Many of the 30 gang members and associates arrested in Rotorua this
week were also arrested two weeks ago, in the first part of the police
operation.

"These people have displayed an open contempt for the law and the
courts," said Mr Bell. "They have gone directly back to dealing in
drugs virtually within hours of getting bail on serious dealing charges."

As officers searched several of the properties yesterday, they took
phone calls from people wanting to buy drugs.

Mr Bell said it had been a ground-breaking operation which illustrated
the depth of the drug problem.

"I think we're just scratching the surface. Older police officers like
me have seen a change in New Zealand society.

"Thirty years ago, drugs were relatively unheard of in New Zealand and
most of our prominent criminals were involved in safe-blowing ... This
should sound a clear and loud alarm bell for everyone."