More than 100 charges in Comanchero investigation

Three-year investigation into Comancheros resulted in more than 100 charges laid, assets restrained. Photos: NZ Police,

NZ Police say they have dealt a "considerable blow" to the Comanchero Motorcycle gang after 137 charges were laid following a three year investigation.

“Police have dealt a blow to the heart of this gang’s alleged activities. It is an exceptional outcome and shows the dedication of Police investigators over three years,” said Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.

Police allege the Comancheros were operating as an organised criminal group conducting a complex money laundering operation, drug import and supply operation, along with military-style training for some of its members.

As a result, 10 patched members, along with 14 gang prospects, were charged.

“I would like to acknowledge our investigators within the National Organised Crime Group, led by Detective Superintendent Greg Williams,” Coster said.

Police believe that disrupting and dismantling Comanchero’s alleged illegal activities would considerably impact the organisation’s ability to conduct further and more significant operations.

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 said.

A multi-agency effort led to the continuous targeting, disruption and enforcement of criminal activity believed to be taking place.

Police have worked alongside Customs, Corrections and Inland Revenue as part of these investigations.

“This sends a message that there will be an all-government response to the criminal offending and misery that organised criminal groups continue to plague our communities.”

Cumulative results since 2021 have seen the Police obtain the following:

206 kilograms of methamphetamine (equating to NZ $215,913.00 million in social harm if it got into the community)

1.76 kilograms of cocaine (equating to $657,500 in social harm)

2.6 kilograms of cannabis

15 firearms

1184 rounds of ammunition

five properties

14 vehicles, including motorbikes

41 Comanchero patches

9.2 million in assets

1.275 million in cash

250 electronic devices

Going after ‘The Commission’

“This commission processes allegedly raised funds to purchase a gang pad, two businesses as well as purchasing of firearms,” Coster said.

In the most recent phase, National Organised Crime Group investigators sought evidence that members were ordered to follow the rules around ‘The commission.’

“Police will also allege that 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.”

Earlier this month, 62 search warrants were carried out on residential properties and vehicles across New Zealand.

200 kilograms of meth seized

A joint operation between Police and Customs resulted in the methamphetamine being discovered in farm machinery.

Following six search warrants being carried out across Auckland, eight people were charged with a variety of serious drug-related offences.

Cash and drug runs between Christchurch and Auckland disrupted

Late last month, Police arrested every patched member of the Christchurch Comanchero chapter.

Police targeted regular cash drug runs between the two metropolitans with 70 warrants carried out between Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland.

Twenty-two people were charged with a variety of offences, with police obtaining nine patches from

 

2 comments

Thank you thank you thank you

Posted on 18-09-2024 08:15 | By Bruja

Legends every one of you involved in dealing to this. Particularly the seizing of meth or it's pre-cursors. So much harm comes via that drug.


Absolutely AWESOME

Posted on 18-09-2024 09:08 | By Yadick

The NZ Police and all agencies involved in this are to be absolutely commended. Their huge efforts have paid off enormously.
Absolutely applaud the outstanding work done by them.
Keep the pressure on all the gangs and wannabes and take them down.
Now we need is for the courts to come to their senses and forget about cultural reports, background reports, discounts for this and that and early pleas. They are nothing more than meaningless, heartless excuses that the Judges let them get away with.
WELL DONE NZ POLICE 🫡


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.