Photo: SuppliedPolice allege an organised crime group they've linked to the killing of a New Zealand man corrupted prison officers and bail officials. One of the defendants, a 35-year-old Auckland man, is accused of being one of the senior members with direct reporting back to a more senior member in the US. Police allege this included corrupting prison officers and bail address managers "to facilitate the movement of the syndicate's property". They claim the group rented Airbnbs at multiple addresses throughout Auckland to assist them in their activities. In June 2025, the American syndicate members were arrested.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 18, 2026 12:32 UTC