Smoking in Prisons

Here is an article written by Garth George for the NZHerald highlighting the smoking ban in prisons that came into effect on 1st July, article found here

What many don't understand is that the reason for the ban is the double bunking issue. Judith Collins and her team want to double bunk our prison population, hence instead of one cell being a prisoners quarters she is instigating doubling up meaning two prisoners will now share a cell. This will provide more beds for our ever increasing prison population. The ban on smoking has nothing to do with the health of our prison population, with prisoners double bunking or doubling up if one non smoking prisoner shares a cell with a smoker under our present smoking laws he can sue for second hand smoke contamination. With much publicity surrounding this ban not many in the media have identified this.

50 Years of Hell

Police and customs cracked down on the Hells Angels 50 year celebrations, they stopped 11 overseas members from entering NZ for the celebrations. The Auckland chapter was founded in 1961 and was the first charter outside of the USA.

NZHerald article found here

All fur coat and no knickers

Xtra.co.nz article on the bizarre link here

They always get their man

NZ Herald article detailing the capture of a long wanted villain in the US

Link to article here

You can run but you cant always hide!

Shop boss guilty of selling dope gear

NZ Herald article detailing the verdict of switched on gardener store prosecution in Whangarei. The couple managed to defend a few charges but the shop manger still secured convictions. The unnecessary interest from the NZ Police is in my opinion over zealous. Marijuana is a low profile crime it is in the opinion of this writer a victimless crime. The operation dubbed "lime" was a complete waste of Police resources as most of the stores still continue to trade today.

The link to the story is found here

Confession of an ex undercover cop

Very interesting read this am keeping tabs on this to see how it turns out

Patrick Obrien ex NZ Police undercover agent

Headhunters Meth Bust

This catch by the NZ police was lucky as rumour from the street was the meth was in someones car who was randomly visiting the Headhunters Club house. The Police executed a warrant on a matter and found what was hidden in the car, they then charged everybody present even though it had nothing to do with most of who has been charged. Guilt by association is not right. The Truth newspaper reported the Dave Dunn recieved a severe beating  from other members while in jail awaiting bail. This was done because Dave the newly elected president of the View road chapter had allowed this mistake to happen.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10713874

Hells Angels Infiltration by Undercover NZ Police officer

 This is a prominent bust for the NZ Police they have never had an undercover operative this high in an outlaw motorcycle club before.

Operation Explorer was dubbed one of the "deepest gang infiltrations" in the history of New Zealand policing.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10711709


The Titans mtoorcycle club had one causing their demise years ago but that particular undercover officer never gained membership.

This will be devestating to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, the Red Devils are a feeder club to the Hells Angels. The Angels have been rife with rumours for years that they wished for a south island prescence.

Red Devil Bust

States takes up Video Conferencing for Court Apperances

The states have started using video conferencing for court apperances i.e the prisoner doesnt appear physically in court but dials in from prison ~ gotta love being treated like a number

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EiFQYadyQk

I think this guy is going to need an exspensive lawyer to get out of this one

Dr Sharples and the Gang Pad

Great to see Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples speaking up for the Black Power Gang, the NZ Herald article (found here) however does not agree and is calling Dr Sharples naive. Its really good to see a politician speaking up for what is publicly  generally viewed as undesirables. Banishing the gang from their own headquarters would drive them underground and would make it even more difficult for the Police to monitor.

Cannabis goes legal

NZ Herald article here detailing the legalisation of  persrciption medication manufactured from cannabis. This is another win win situation for those amongst us who use cannabis to combat illness. This is a new step in Britan hopefully its a matter of time before it is adopted in New Zealand. We shouldn't make criminals out of the people who seek solace from it. Medical people have known for a long time cannabis has benefits for those with illness's such as MS, they simply weren't allowed legally to prescribe cannabis in any form.