A three-year Police investigation has dealt a significant blow to the illegal operations of the Comanchero Motorcycle Gang in New Zealand. Nearly all of the gang’s members and associates are now facing criminal charges.

The four-phase investigation, led by the National Organised Crime Group, uncovered the gang’s involvement in a range of illegal activities, including money laundering, drug importation, and a ‘Commission’ scheme used to fund military-style training for some members.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said a total of 137 charges have been laid against the gang’s members and associates. Those charged include 17 office holders, 10 patched members, and 14 prospects.

“This investigation represents the single biggest blow to the Comancheros’ operations since Operation Nova,” Coster said. “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.”

Coster added that the disruption and dismantling of these operations will significantly reduce the Comancheros’ ability to conduct further serious criminal activity.

“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 New Zealand,” he said. “Since then, there has been a multi-agency effort to target, disrupt, and enforce against their criminal activities.”

The investigation has involved multiple agencies, including Customs, Corrections, and Inland Revenue.

Operation Embargo

The most recent phase of the investigation, Operation Embargo, sought evidence of a directive allegedly sent to Comanchero members three years ago. This directive allegedly established rules around the o’Commission,’ which raised funds to purchase properties, businesses, firearms, and fund military-style training for members.

Coster said, “Police will also allege these funds were used to conduct military-styled training of 15 members by a trainer brought into the country for this purpose.”

Earlier this month, 62 search warrants were carried out across residential properties and vehicles in New Zealand. Police seized 2.6 kilograms of cannabis, 760 grams of cocaine, 172 rounds of ammunition, 83 mobile phones, four firearms (including two sawn-off shotguns), 39 electronic devices, and 32 Comanchero patches.

Operation Scuba

The first phase of the investigation, Operation Scuba, began in July 2021 and focused on complex money laundering activities. Police allege that profits from the gang’s illegal activities funded further criminal activities and acquisitions.

A total of $5.8 million worth of assets were restrained, including two properties, one of which was the gang’s ‘Southside’ pad in Weymouth. Police also seized nearly $1 million in cash, a late-model Range Rover, and two high-specification Harley Davidson motorcycles. Eleven people were charged, including professional facilitators alleged to have laundered money for the gang.

Operation Brewer

The second phase, Operation Brewer, was a joint operation between Police and Customs that resulted in the discovery of 200 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in farm machinery. Following search warrants carried out across Auckland, eight people were charged with serious drug-related offences.

Operation Avon

The third phase, Operation Avon, resulted in the arrest of every patched member of the Christchurch chapter of the gang. The operation targeted drug and cash runs between Auckland and Christchurch. Police carried out 70 warrants across Christchurch, Dunedin, and Auckland, leading to the seizure of 6.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, four firearms, nine Comanchero patches, $222,000 in cash, and $1.9 million in restrained assets.

By the numbers – Cumulative results since 2021:

– 206 kilograms of methamphetamine (equating to $215.9 million in social harm)
– 1.76 kilograms of cocaine (equating to $657,500 in social harm)
– 2.6 kilograms of cannabis
– 15 firearms
– 1,184 rounds of ammunition
– 5 properties
– 14 vehicles, including motorcycles
– 41 Comanchero patches
– $9.2 million in assets restrained
– $1.275 million in cash
– More than 250 electronic devices seized