JCB members wear this patch.
Jio-Peni Sauaki is one of up to a dozen members or associates of the dangerous South Auckland street gang the JCBs - Juvanyle Crip Boys - to have been sentenced to jail after their vicious run of violent attacks.
The gang came to public attention with an attack
in the Otara neighbourhood of Flat Bush at Labour weekend 2005 that left two of their rivals fighting for their lives.
The father of key JCB member George Naea was killed in retaliation immediately afterwards in a night of violence that cost $2.5 million to investigate and prosecute.
It was the first of the string of 11 street or gang killings in Auckland in the past two years.
Naea, that night and the JCB gang were subject of a Weekend Herald investigation in August.
Naea has since been sentenced to a total of seven years and nine months in prison for his part in the Flat Bush attack and another JCB attack. Eight other JCB members or associates were given sentences of up to nine years and nine months for their involvement.
Other members have been convicted for their part in two similar street attacks or of subsequent violent crimes.
Marlan Tuporo, the rival gang member who killed Naea's father Lio, is serving a life sentence with 17 years without parole.
Detective Senior Sergeant Sue Schwalger, who led the police investigation into the JCBs, said their violence "was out of control" at the time.
"We took serious steps to regain that control, which we did. The number of JCB members now in jail shows anybody in gangs or who looks up to them that police will not tolerate them."
