Police acknowledge the sentencing of six Mongrel Mob members for a range of violent offending in Southland in 2022.

The sentences handed down in the High Court at Christchurch yesterday range from three years and four months, to six years, in prison.

“The sentencing of all six offenders sends a clear message to organised crime groups that behaviour like this will not be tolerated in our community,” says Area Commander Southland, Inspector Mike Bowman.

“Those who choose to offend in this way, causing this type of harm, can expect to be held accountable.”

In January 2022, Southland began experiencing a spree of violent crimes that spanned several months, including drive-by shootings and violent assaults that left people critically injured.

In response, Police began Operation Pakari, a complex, detailed investigation by Southland Police into this violent offending.

The operation concluded in June 2023 with a number of people being arrested.

Inspector Bowman says he hopes this week’s sentencing provides some comfort to the public.

“I want to thank our investigation team, who worked incredibly hard to put a halt to this offending, and our officers and partner agencies who continue to work with our communities through our Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities programme.

“Part of our job is continuing to ensure that whanau and household members directly impacted by the offending and sentencing are well-supported," he says.

“The operation is a great piece of work that’s happened in the Southland policing area, which has seen a 17% reduction in overall offences since June 2023.

“Our work continues, and we thank our communities for their ongoing support.”