The Ford Raptor that police HAD to get off the streets: Mongrel Mob bikies ran a massive $2.6million ice ring in a tiny impoverished town - and their red ute was the cops' biggest problem
- Kawerau, New Zealand, had massive drug issue with many residents addicted
- Families desperate for money to pay for drugs were prostituting children
- Police believed Mongrel Mob gang members were responsible for selling drugs
- Flashy vehicles such as red Ford Raptor truck helped confirm their suspicions
A group of bikie gang members who ran a $2.6million ice ring out of a tiny, impoverished town can blame a red Ford Raptor truck for their eventual downfall.
Kawerau, in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island, had a massive drug problem, with many of its 6,000 residents addicted to methamphetamine.
Families desperate for money to pay for drugs were even prostituting children in order to score ice.
Police believed Mongrel Mob gang members were responsible for selling drugs in the town, and the flaunting of wealth through flashy vehicles such as the oversized Ford confirmed their suspicions.
A group of bikie gang members who ran a $2.6million ice ring out of a tiny, impoverished town can blame a red Ford Raptor truck (pictured) for their eventual downfall
A constable in Kawerau - frustrated at a lack of action - contacted New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush warning him that the Mongrel Mob were taking over the town, the New Zealand Herald reported.
The National Organised Crime Group (NOCG) were then assigned to investigate the Mongrel Mob members in Kawerau for six months, beginning in August 2017.
The NOCG usually dealt with international criminals and stopped drugs at the top of the supply chain but had been ordered by Mr Bush to look into the situation in Kawerau.
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Warrants granted by the High Court allowed officers to secretly listen to phone conversations and use hidden cameras to observe the gang members.
The Mongrel Mob members used an easy-to-decipher code when speaking to each other, and eventually raids were carried out by police.
About 300 police staff were involved in the raids which saw 30 firearms recovered and $2million worth of property seized. More than 50 people were arrested.
During the police investigation, 2.6kg of meth - worth about $2.6million - was allegedly sold by the Mongrel Mob.
About 300 police staff were involved in the raids which saw 30 firearms recovered and $2million worth of property seized. More than 50 people were arrested
The red Ford Raptor was one of several vehicles towed away by police.
Kawerau mayor - and town butcher - Malcolm Campbell said New Zealanders needed to 'wake up to the bulls**t that's going on' in his area.
'This is a scourge on society. When you've got young kids walking around fried out of their heads, it's not a good thing. It's not good for the town and it's not good for anyone. We're picking up the pieces,' he said.
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