A gang boss who used government money to fund a gang cannabis dealing operation has been denied parole. Part of that vulnerability relates to his recent decision to leave the Mongrel Mob gang," the Parole Board decision says. Cook used $20,000 of the money to buy cannabis which he and his associates were planning to sell. A Parole Board decision released today showed that Cook's involvement with the Mongrel Mob, which he joined at 16, was a "relevant factor" in his earlier offending. But police swooped on Dunedin-bound drug consignments after intercepting text and phone messages between gang members.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 22, 2016 17:45 UTC