More arrests have been made following a wide-reaching police sting into the Mongrel Mob in Southland.
Another two people appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday and three arrest warrants were issued.
Fifteen people are now charged with participating in an organised criminal group between January and September last year, including one youth defendant.
The arrests come after an 18-month investigation into a number of serious offences believed to be linked to the Mongrel Mob in Southland, particularly the Mataura chapter.
These advancements led to the termination of Operation Pakari.
The alleged incidents included two drive-by shootings in Invercargill and flashpoints in February and April last year where seriously injured people were dropped off at Gore Hospital.
The 38-year-old man who appeared yesterday faced three charges: causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and participating in an organised criminal group.
He was remanded in custody and granted interim name suppression.
A 38-year old woman also appeared and was charged with suppressing evidence in relation to someone who has not yet appeared in court. She also had her identity suppressed as the duty lawyer said the case was ‘‘tied up’’ in terms of the 11 arrests made the day before.
The woman is the first of the 15 adults arrested in relation to the investigation to be granted bail.
She was ordered to hand her passport in to the police and not to associate with any co-defendants.
Judge Russell Walker granted warrants to arrest three men, each charged with participating in the Mongrel Mob and two with attempted murder.
By noon on Wednesday, police said they had swooped on a dozen addresses in Mataura, Gore, Dunedin and Hamilton.
It is understood the Crown intends to make an application to have all the matters heard together in the High Court next month, regardless of each individual’s level of offending.
