March 29, 2023
New laws target gang top dogs
Justice Minister Kiritapu Allan says new laws will make it harder for gangs to hide money and weapons.
The Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Bill passed today, and the Proceeds of Crimes Legislation has also been strengthened so sums over $30,000 have to be accounted.
Ms Allan says the arrival of overseas gangs has created new challenges for law enforcement, and police need powers to deal with sophisticated money laundering as well as shut down gang warfare early.
“The real focus is the new gangs. It’s the ones that have come in post the 501s coming to New Zealand where they haven’t had a community infrastructure and the whole type of organising is completely different from the days of old in my dad’s time. it’s really focused around marketing and recruiting young people, using them to undertake criminal activity the top dogs so we’re going after the gang leaders,” she says.
The new laws mean it’s now an offence to intimidate with a weapon.