In an exclusive extract from his new book, Gangster’s Paradise, Herald reporter Jared Savage goes inside the covert police investigation that loosened the
Operation Notus drug offenders: Man jailed for more than 9 years
16 Feb, 2021 09:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Jason Iopata, his wife and another man were sentenced in the Tauranga District Court last week. Photo / File
Jason Iopata, his wife and another man were sentenced in the Tauranga District Court last week. Photo / File
Bay of Plenty Times
By: Sandra Conchie
A Bay of Plenty man has been jailed for more than nine years for drug dealing and money laundering offences totalling more than $400,000. Jason Kirk Iopata, 46, from Motiti Island and his wife Anahera Marie Iopata, 39, from Kawerau, were sentenced in the Tauranga District Court on February 5 in relation to a joint charge of engaging in multiple money laundering transactions.
Frustrated emails from Kawerau constable to Police Commissioner Mike Bush led to downfall of Mongrel Mob president Frank Milosevic in Operation Notus drug bust
13 Feb, 2021 04:00 PM
10 minutes to read
Press conference held in Kawerau today after a second wave of raids were conducted by police today in the Bay of Plenty as part of Operation Notus II.
Press conference held in Kawerau today after a second wave of raids were conducted by police today in the Bay of Plenty as part of Operation Notus II.
Frank Milosevic had mana and respect in Kawerau, as the leader of the local Mongrel Mob chapter. But a local constable knew Milosevic s $100,000 ute and other assets came from selling methamphetamine, which was destroying the fabric of the town. This is the inside story of how his frustrated emails to Police Commissioner Mike Bush led to Milosevic s downfall.
Partner of Mongrel Mob Kawerau president and two other men jailed
12 Feb, 2021 04:30 AM
8 minutes to read
Irene Raki was sentenced to two years six months prison in Tauranga District Court on February 12. Photo / George Novak
The partner of the president of the Mongrel Mob Kawerau chapter has been jailed for more than two years for money-laundering offences totalling almost $250,000. Frank Milosevic s partner, Irene Raki, and his son Slobodan Milosevic s partner Raiha Tawera were both sentenced in the Tauranga District Court on February 12.
The two women were found guilty with their partners of joint money-laundering charges at their jury trials in the Hamilton District Court last year.