Two patched Mongol gang members have been arrested and charged with blackmailing in Christchurch.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The arrests come as part of Operation Cobalt which targets organised crime groups across the country.
Police allege a 37-year-old threatened to burn a person's property in an attempt to obtain thousands of dollars.
The other person, a 36-year-old man, is also facing charges of offering to supply class A and B controlled drugs and conspiracy to commit burglary.
Police allege he obtained tens of thousands of dollars after threatening the partner and young children of the person being blackmailed on multiple occasions between May and June 2022.
They said he was a patched member of the Mongols gang at the time.
Police believe these are not isolated incidents and expect further charges to be laid.
Police said they were concerned about gang members blackmailing as a way to raise revenue and gain influence.
Detective inspector Scott Anderson appealed to the public to notify them if they have been subjected to this behaviour.
"You can trust us to deal with your complaint in a way that keeps you and your family safe," Anderson said.
"You can be confident that where possible we will hold these offenders to account."
The 37-year-old will appear in Christchurch District Court on 5 August and the 36-year-old on 23 August.