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Collins to Aussie gangs - 'you're not welcome'

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Fri, 28 Jan 2011 2:17p.m.

The Rebels Motorcycle Club was formed in 1969 (File pic)

The Rebels Motorcycle Club was formed in 1969 (File pic)

Police Minister Judith Collins has issued a stiff warning to Australian gangs – you’re not welcome here.

Her message comes after the Australian gang Rebels Motorcycle Club were reported to be looking to expand their operation and gain a foothold across the Tasman.

“A very clear message needs to be sent to crime gangs from Australia and elsewhere that they are not welcome in New Zealand,” Ms Collins says.

The gang was formed in 1969 and has since grown across Australia, to now have around 2,000 members in 70 chapters. It has been linked to the manufacture of methamphetamine, with two members arrested in separate incidents in 2009, one for trafficking the drug and another setting fire to a laboratory where he was allegedly making the drug.

“Efforts by these gangs to set up shop and begin their criminal activities in New Zealand will meet with a very firm response from Police and OFCANZ who will work with other government agencies<” says Ms Collins.

“Efforts by this Australian gang to gain a foothold on this side of the Tasman underline how crime gangs are now big businesses with connections all around the world.

“It also underlines the importance of the Government’s tough stance on gangs. The Government has given Police new powers to intercept gang communications, dismantle gang fortresses and seize property from criminals.”

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07 Feb 2011 10:19a.m.

urban druid wrote:

Apologies, a correction to a post in haste. Sixth line from the bottom of my previous comment... I meant to say: Cannabis would have less restriction on its access by the public than a substance like heroin, yet both would be legally accessible through the proper channels.

06 Feb 2011 04:32p.m.

urban druid wrote:

National and police have been so good at jailing the leaders of homegrown gangs, that we now have an opening for another brand of international motor cycle club competition to move in.
National have created a gangster's paradise in this country, not through lack of even more punitive legislation as, concerned citizen, suggests; but because of it:(
The demand for drugs will always be met. The harsher the penalties for drug supply and possession, the greater the rewards to those who would flout the law, and the greater the expense to the tax payer, and society as a whole.
If people really think drugs are as harmful as they say, it would make sense to try and get some form of control around them, rather than what we have now where the criminal element control the: price, quality, potency, packaging, distribution, medium of exchange, etc?
Government regulation, where drugs are available in a regulated way to those who would care to partake of them would go a long way to solving this issue, because licensed suppliers could put sales through the books and pay tax like everyone else, and people with addiction problems could get the help they need to lead relatively normal lives?
This would turn a huge drain on the economy into a problem that paid for itself to be managed.
Of course some drugs would require more supervision on supply than others; not to stop people getting what they want, but to make sure they are protected from making bad choices around and following drug use.
Cannabis would be treated much less lightly than say a drug like heroin, yet both would be accessible through the proper chanels?
The best way to see if this idea works is to look around the world where similar things have been tried.
In some recent stats on cannabis use for 15 year olds who had ever tried the drug: Netherlands 7%, USA 20.2%, NZ 26.8%. Cannabis is available over the counter R18 in the Netherlands.
Interesting, aye?

01 Feb 2011 09:42a.m.

nigel wrote:

Well said Mr Johnmillan!

31 Jan 2011 10:26a.m.

Johnmillan wrote:

If those gang members were to bring with them twenty tourist with them each loaded with money they would be most welcome here,this is another stuff up made by Collins,as she cannot out law the gangs we have here in NZ.I remember when we had teddy boys,bodgies,widgies,milk bar cow boys,They kept too their own groups.Its the media that causes most of the problems, because some reporters exaggerate the actual facts to what is happening .And to me they are more lethal than the gangs them selves.

29 Jan 2011 10:13a.m.

Ruz wrote:

Well I'm sure that overseas gangs will be really scared off by what Minsiter Collins has said. Yeah right. The national Government has done diddly squat to get rid of the criminal Maori gangs, so how on earth does she hope to keep overseas gangs out?

28 Jan 2011 06:13p.m.

concerned citizen wrote:

this will only keep happening, more and more law breakers will enter NZ knowing that they can get away with breaking the law or merely a slap on the wrist. The law here is too easy on criminals and is like a haven for them. If the laws here do not change then crimes will increase and NZ will no longer be a safe place in years to come

28 Jan 2011 04:11p.m.

Dan wrote:

Good on ya Ms.Collins. Now how about not turning your eyes to the existing one's home grown!