Police target motorcycle gang in series of arrests
AUCKLAND: A media personality, lawyer and an accountant are three of 11 people arrested during the past few days in a series of police raids after a yearlong investigation into the Comanchero Motorcycle Gang.
A patched member was the latest of the group to be arrested yesterday morning, police said.
Most have now appeared in court on a raft of charges for alleged organised crime, money laundering and drug supply after more than 80 police officers raided several Auckland properties last week and on Monday.
Some $4 million worth of assets has already been seized by police during Operation Nova, including firearms and several luxury vehicles such as a RollsRoyce Wraith and goldplated HarleyDavidson motorcycles.
Police believe the gang was importing drugs into New Zealand and has laundered millions of dollars.
It is also understood they were assisted by notorious international drug syndicate the Sinaloa cartel, which was founded by recently imprisoned drug lord Joaquin ‘‘El Chapo’’ Guzman.
The Sinaloa cartel is considered the largest drug trafficking organisation in the world.
At least one homicide in Auckland is alleged to have been committed by members of the Comancheros.
As part of the raids during the past few days, a 40yearold New Zealand man was also arrested in Sydney with the help of Australian Federal Police.
He now faces extradition over 23 charges for drug importation and supply, participating in an organised criminal group, and money laundering.
Others who have been charged include a 41yearold Auckland lawyer, who is facing eight charges for allegedly laundering more than $2.4 million and participating in the organised criminal group.
He was granted interim name suppression at his first appearance last Friday and will appear in court again next month.
A New Zealand media personality was also arrested during the raids.
The 36yearold, who also has name suppression, faces one charge of jointly laundering about $300,000.
An Auckland accountant was also arrested and appeared in court yesterday.
The 40yearold, who is accused of laundering $275,000 in cash and cocaine possession, will appear in court again in July.
Yesterday’s arrest was that of a 34yearold patched Comanchero member on drugs and money laundering charges.
Others arrested in Auckland include a 28yearold man, a 30yearold man, a 31yearold man, a 24yearold man, a 48yearold man, and a 37yearold woman.
Another 28yearold man, whom police believe to be an associate of the Comanchero gang, was also arrested today for an aggravated robbery last year.
The robbery and alleged assault of a police officer occurred in Mount Maunganui during July, 2018.
Operation Nova remains ongoing, and Detective Inspector Paul Newman, of the National Organised Crime Group, could not rule out further charges or arrests. — NZME