South Island Police have ramped up their operations against gang members travelling into Canterbury for a planned event, conducting a large-scale vehicle stop at Glasnevin.

Tasman District Police initially intercepted members and associates of the Mongols gang as they disembarked from the ferry at Picton yesterday, continuing to monitor them as they travelled south through Kaikoura and into Canterbury.

During the initial checks in Tasman District, two drivers connected to the event were forbidden to drive, and one motorcycle was impounded.

Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said, “At the Glasnevin truck stop, a checkpoint was established, and every member of the group was stopped and spoken to, and their vehicles inspected.”

He added, “A senior Mongols member was forbidden to ride when stopped, as the bike he was riding did not comply with his licence conditions.” An invalid driver’s licence was also confiscated from a patched Mongols member.

Canterbury Police said they would continue to have an increased presence on the region’s roads, actively monitoring for unlawful behaviour and holding those responsible to account.

Police encouraged anyone with public safety concerns to call 111 and reminded the public they could report information on unlawful activity with no immediate safety risk online or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.