The New Zealand Herald is reporting how motorcycle gangs once arch rivals are teaming up into organised and powerful alliances.

It reports how gangs like the Headhunters and the Hells Angels are working together and are gathering in other smaller biker gangs to boost their power and numbers.

Police estimates show the gangs as making millions of dollars every year out of crime. The Herald reports police intelligence shows the Headhunters and the Hells Angels
pick the cream” of smaller gangs as prospects.

Detectives warn that over the next decade there will be fewer gangs but they will be more sophisticated with international drug distribution links and being involved with murder, extortion, blackmail, robbery and arms dealing.

The Herald reports how one Auckland Hells Angels member was caught recently for drug dealing and had over $100,000 cash seized from his address and a huge amount of unexplained income. He accumulated $230,000 in a 14-month period.

The average age for gang recruits in Auckland is 34. The gangs usually have legitimate and illegitimate businesses, with the legitimate ones used as a front for laundering "dirty" money. Common businesses run by gang members include debt-collection agencies and security-type companies, the Herald reports.

© Scoop Media