New advisory group tackles growing threat of organised crime.
The New Zealand government has established a Ministerial Advisory Group on transnational and serious organised crime, aimed at improving the country's response to international and domestic crime groups. Associate Police Minister Casey Costello announced the approval, stating that it is an important step in fighting the increasing threat posed by these groups.
The advisory group will focus on disrupting criminal organisations, identifying opportunities for better disruption and enforcement action, and addressing barriers that prevent government agencies from working together effectively. Chair Steve Symon, a senior partner at Meredith Connell, has been appointed to lead the group, which includes four other members with experience across government, law enforcement, regulation, and the private sector.
The estimated cost of the illicit drug trade alone is around $1.5 billion in social harm this year. The advisory group will explore information sharing between agencies, investigation and prosecution management, and frontline cooperation to make a step-change in the way Government agencies respond to transnational and serious organised crime.