Some news stories today give a rare and disturbing insight into the illicit networks which trade in illegal firearms, drugs and services in Australia and New Zealand.
- Upper Hutt: In three police raids, 5 semi-automatic AK-47s, two handguns, a rifle, a shotgun, ammo, ecstasy, LSD, cannabis, P, lab equipment, chemical precursors, mace and security cameras were seized. The weapons might be linked to “several high-profile shootings,” which is interesting because shootings are uncommon in the Wellington region. Presumably Graeme Burton’s rampage is being referred to, but that’s just one shooting, not several. It always surprises me how heavily armed local drug manufacturers seem to be, based on reports of police raids. Submachine guns? Homemade bombs? What are they planning?
- Sydney: So far, raids targeting Middle Eastern crime networks have uncovered over $12.5 million in cash – NSW’s biggest ever haul. And, get this, a gold-plated pistol. Not to mention designer furnishings, rare sports cars, a power-ski, a boat, motorcycles, cocaine, other drugs, and military-style weapons. And a taser. It must be an unbelievably lucrative business…
- Melbourne: With the confession of underworld killer and drug dealer Carl Williams, details of one of Australia’s bloodiest gang wars are finally public knowledge. The initial spark was the wounding of Williams by rival Jason Moran during a meeting; in revenge, Williams starting killing Moran’s allies. The resulting war resulted in at least 29 deaths, including Moran, and up to ten personally killed by Williams. It’s a gripping story involving vast amounts of cash, psychopathic hitmen and charismatic bosses.
Australasian gangs are gradually evolving. The groups involved in the above stories are at least second generation gangs, and are probably starting to shift to the third generation – sophisticated, globally connected networks, with both political and mercenary motives and ambitions.
Further reading: My previous posts on black globalization and gangs in New Zealand, “NZ: A staging post in the global black market,” and Australia, “Australia’s missing missiles.”
AKs are the weapons of choice for many of the gangs in the Western hemisphere too. We’re seeing grenade launchers being employed by MS-13 as well. Crazy stuff.
Left by A.E. on March 3rd, 2007