He has featured in five music videos posted to YouTube over the past six months, each with at least 50,000 views. The most recent went online just last month.
In total, the songs have also been streamed more than 100,000 times on Spotify.
The Department of Corrections has confirmed staff are now investigating the music videos “that appear to use the voice of a prisoner”.
Rosemary Firth, the general manager of Waikeria Prison, said no contraband – such as a smuggled cellphone – was found when the prisoner’s cell was searched.
The case also raises the possibility that the inmate recited the lyrics to an associate, who recorded the vocals, over the prison payphone system.
These conversations are also recorded by Corrections and subject to random monitoring.
“While it is possible the audio used in these videos has been obtained and distributed by a third party recording a phone call, we are continuing to investigate this matter as a priority,” Firth said.
“We appreciate that any audio of prisoners available online can be of concern to people, and we’re sorry for any distress caused.”
Firth said any prisoners found to be in breach of the prison rules will be held to account.
Any internal misconduct charges could lead to disciplinary action such as being placed in a “management unit”, or having privileges revoked.
The case raises fresh concerns about the apparent ease with which prisoners can access cell phones while behind bars, to either post on social media or carry out criminal activity.
Last week, the Herald revealed how a pair of inmates were allegedly able to smuggle large amounts of drugs into New Zealand through a network of corrupt workers at Auckland Airport.
The two gang members have been charged with importing methamphetamine, in 25kg amounts, twice while behind bars.
The police allege the underworld figures were able to orchestrate these drug shipments with cellphones smuggled inside prison,
The problem stretches back for decades.
The senior Head Hunter gang member whose vocals feature in popular rap songs posted online, despite currently being a prison inmate, is depicted by a balaclava-clad actor in the accompanying music videos. Photo / Supplied.
The most high-profile example was Operation Web, a covert investigation in 2008, which exposed a group of notorious criminals working together to run a drug syndicate from inside the maximum security prison in Paremoremo.
In another notorious case, a prominent underworld figure was sentenced to life imprisonment last year for masterminding a plot to smuggle nearly 200kg of methamphetamine through the border.
The gang member, who cannot be identified because of interim suppression orders, also used a smuggled cellphone to give instructions to his crew outside the prison walls.
He was already in prison for his role in another massive drug importation.
Stopping contraband, such as cellphones, is a “top priority” according to Sean Mason, the Commissioner for Custodial Services at Corrections.
“Some prisoners go to extreme and elaborate lengths to introduce contraband into prison. Contraband may be concealed on a prisoner’s body when they come into the prison, posted in with mail or property, thrown over perimeter fencing, or smuggled into the prison by visitors,” Mason said.
The senior Head Hunter gang member whose vocals feature in popular rap songs posted online, despite currently being a prison inmate, is depicted by a balaclava-clad actor in the accompanying music videos. Photo / Supplied.
“Sometimes prisoners place a significant amount of pressure on their partners, friends or associates to risk attempting to bring contraband into prison for them.”
Corrections staff worked hard to stop contraband, Mason said, as well as trying to “stay one step ahead” of any new methods.
This included searching people and vehicles entering prison grounds, using scanners and x-ray machines at entry points, “extensive” perimeter security, camera surveillance in visiting rooms, checking mail, monitoring of phone calls, sniffer dogs and banning visitors.
“Corrections works closely with Police and Customs to disrupt gang influence and organised crime activity in both prisons and our communities,” Mason said.
Jared Savage covers crime and justice issues, with a particular interest in organised crime. He joined the Herald in 2006 and has won a dozen journalism awards in that time, including twice being named Reporter of the Year. He is also the author of Gangland, Gangster’s Paradise and Underworld.