Six Mongrel Mob Members Convicted in Southland Crime Spree Involving Kidnapping and Drive-By Shootings

In a landmark case that has drawn significant attention across the region, six members of the Mataura Mongrel Mob have been found guilty of a series of serious crimes committed in Southland in 2022. These crimes included violent assaults, a kidnapping, and drive-by shootings that left several individuals with critical injuries.

The investigation, led by Southland police, spanned several months and revealed a pattern of escalating violence that began in late January 2022. Inspector Mike Bowman, who oversaw the investigation, highlighted the complexity and scale of the offenses, stating that the case was among the most challenging for Southland police in recent years.

"Those responsible for this offending will be held to account," said Bowman. "The victims of these assaults were members of the Mongrel Mob, and in most cases were unco-operative with police. This was a very complex, difficult investigation, and the prosecution of this group has been one of the more challenging cases for Southland police in recent times."

The trial, which took place in Christchurch, saw six of the 21 individuals charged with a range of offenses—including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, and injuring with intent to injure—convicted on 12 charges in total. The court proceedings underscored the severity of the crimes and the determination of the legal system to address such violence.

Police emphasized the importance of accountability, regardless of the individuals involved. "This investigation is testament to the fact that everyone can expect to be held to account for violent offending, no matter who you are or who the victims are," said Bowman.

In the aftermath of the convictions, Southland police have continued to work with partner agencies to provide ongoing support to affected families and communities. The Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (Rocc) programme, launched in 2023, aims to prevent further harm and offending by fostering collaboration among local communities, police, and non-governmental organizations.

"Our role at the time of these arrests was to help ensure that whānau and household members directly impacted by the arrests were well-supported," said Bowman. "This involved working alongside our partner agencies to provide them the ongoing support they needed, and to help ensure any further harm and offending was minimised."

While the convictions mark a significant step in addressing the violence, other matters related to the case are still being processed in the courts. The ongoing legal proceedings reflect the complexity of such cases and the need for continued vigilance in combating organized crime.

The convictions serve as a strong message to communities that violent behavior will not be tolerated, regardless of the group or individual involved. They also highlight the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, local organizations, and communities to prevent such crimes from occurring in the future.