Police say a “huge” investigation spanning three years has dealt a “considerable blow” to illegal operations of the Comanchero motorcycle gang in New Zealand, with nearly all its members and associates facing criminal charges.
As a result of four phases of the investigation, police allege the Comancheros were operating as an organised criminal group conducting a complex money-laundering operation, drug importation and supply operations, and a ‘Commission’ scheme to fund, amongst other things, military-style training for some of its members.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says cumulatively 137 charges have been laid against the gang’s members and associates.
Those charged include 17 ‘office’ holders, 10 patched members and 14 prospects of the gang.
“This investigation represents the single biggest blow to the Comancheros’ operations since Operation Nova,” Coster says.
“Police have dealt a blow right to the heart of this gang’s alleged activities. It is an exceptional outcome and shows the dedication of police investigators over the course of three years.”
Police say the disruption and dismantling of the gang’s illegal operations will have a considerable impact on its ability to conduct significant serious criminal offending.
“From the moment the gang established a presence in this country, they made it very clear they saw themselves as the number-one gang in this country,” Coster says.
“From the very beginning, there has been a multi-agency effort to continuously target, disrupt and enforce criminal activity that has been taking place.
“This has resulted in significant criminal prosecution cases as well as assets and profits being stripped away from their grasp.”
Police have worked alongside Customs, Corrections and Inland Revenue as part of the investigations, Coster says.
“This sends a message there will be an all-of-government response to the criminal offending, and misery that organised criminal groups continue to plague our communities.”
Operation Embargo
In its most recent phase, investigators from the National Organised Crime Group sought evidence about a directive allegedly sent out to Comanchero members three years ago.
It is alleged this directive ordered members to follow rules being set up around the ‘Commission’.
“This commission processes allegedly raised funds to purchase a gang pad, two businesses as well as purchasing of firearms,” Coster says.
“Police will also allege these funds were being used to carry out military-styled training of 15 of its members by a trainer brought into the country for this purpose.”
As an example, it’s alleged there would be a $5000 commission on every kilogram sold by their members.
Earlier this month, 62 search warrants were carried out on residential properties and vehicles across New Zealand.
In total, police seized 2.6kg of cannabis, 760g of cocaine, 172 rounds of ammunition, and 83 mobile phones.
Four firearms, including two sawn-off shotguns, were seized. Police also located 39 other electronic devices and 32 Comanchero patches.
Operation Scuba
In July, 2021, the National Organised Crime Group commenced phase one of this investigation.
Operation Scuba primarily was a complex money-laundering investigation.
Coster says it will be alleged the investigation showed profit from the gang’s illegal activities was used to fund its criminal offending and acquisitions.
In total $5.8m of assets were restrained, including two properties.
“The operation terminated in March this year, resulting in 11 people being charged.
“This included professional facilitators, who it will be alleged did the money laundering for the gang.”
One of these properties was the gang’s ‘Southside’ pad in South Auckland.
Police also restrained nearly $1m in cash, a late-model Range Rover and two high-specification Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Operation Brewer
The second phase was a joint operation between police and Customs terminated in July, 2023.
It resulted in 200kg of methamphetamine being found hidden in farm machinery.
Following six search warrants being carried out across Auckland, eight people were charged with a variety of serious drug-related offences.
Operation Avon
Late last month, police arrested every patched member of the Christchurch chapter of the gang.
This third phase targeted regular cash- and drug-runs between Auckland and Christchurch.
Seventy warrants were carried out across Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland.
Twenty-two people have been charged with a variety of serious offences.
Police also seized 6.5kg of methamphetamine, four firearms, and nine Comanchero patches.
Around $222,000 in cash was recovered, along with $1.9m in assets were restrained.
