Gangster's Paradise

The much-anticipated follow-up to Jared Savage's bestselling Gangland, Gangster's Paradise delves deep into the dark underworld of organised crime in New Zealand. It paints a vivid picture of a country grappling with an unprecedented surge in criminal activities fueled by drugs, guns, gangs, and enormous sums of money.

In a gripping narrative, Savage explores the chilling stories behind the headlines: A notorious gang seizes control of a small rural town, instilling fear and asserting their dominance. The tragic murder of a police officer during what seemed to be a routine traffic stop highlights the increasing danger faced by law enforcement. Corruption runs rife as a port worker assists in the clandestine removal of a shipping container in the dead of night, and a network of crooked baggage handlers exploits the chaos of Covid lockdowns to smuggle methamphetamine into the country.

The violence escalates with a brazen shooting in a 5-star hotel in broad daylight, signalling the fierce territorial fights that turn urban areas into battlegrounds. Newcomer gangs like the Mongols and Comancheros bring their formidable international connections, challenging the longstanding dominance of established gangs such as the Head Hunters. These turf wars spark a vicious cycle of retaliation and brutal retribution, pushing the conflict to new levels of intensity.

Jared Savage's previous work, Gangland, highlighted the evolution of gang culture in New Zealand. Now, in Gangster's Paradise, he exposes the terrifying escalation that follows. This compelling account offers a chilling insight into a world where the stakes are perilously high, and the consequences, deadly. Savage's meticulous research and riveting storytelling provide a window into the secretive and dangerous lives of those within New Zealand's criminal enterprises.

Gangster's Paradise is not just a chronicle of crime; it is a testament to the resilience of law enforcement and the courage required to confront the growing power of organised crime. It serves as an urgent call to address the root causes behind the rise of these formidable criminal networks. Essential reading for anyone interested in true crime, justice, and the battle against the sinister forces lurking in the shadows of society.