If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Photo: Supplied, Late-model Range Rovers were among the assets seized in Operation Nova. Simpson was reckless and brought the legal profession into disrepute, however, the judge was satisfied he was genuine in his remorse. Comanchero Motorcycle Club president Pasilika Naufahu has been denied parole for a second time in four months. The offending was sophisticated, said Justice van Bohemen, with encrypted devices used to avoid detection by police. Police feared the gang's connections to international organised crime groups and sophisticated tradecraft would give it outsized influence in New Zealand's criminal underworld. The Comanchero Motorcycle Club New Zealand president feared he was about to be arrested eight months before a major police bust and also suspected police were bugging his phone, a jury has been told. After a lengthy and high-profile jury trial last year, Naufahu was found guilty of two money-laundering charges - one in respect of a Ford Ranger and the other a $102,075 Bentley. A lawyer was used to set up trusts for Naufahu and other group members. He told them Naufahu arrived in New Zealand from Australia in early 2016 and quickly went about establishing the New Zealand chapter of the Comancheros. The president of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club has had a year knocked off his jail term. At trial, Naufahu was found guilty of two charges of money laundering in relation to the purchase of a Bentley and Ford Ranger. Frustrated emails from Kawerau constable to Police Commissioner Mike Bush led to downfall of Mo Video of gang's botched $1m drug deal that brought down Comancheros leader - NZ Herald, Auckland Airport meth bust: Air New Zealand baggage handlers charged - NZ Herald. Make sure you have subscribed to our Facebook page or Twitter to stay tuned! Hakaraia has denied participating in an organised criminal group; two charges of possession of class A drug for supply, namely cocaine and methamphetamine; and three charges of money laundering including $439,700 used towards two concrete pumps and $110,000 used towards purchasing a Range Rover. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain expressed permission from the copyright owner. Vetekina Naufahu joins two other senior members of the Comanchero motorcycle club in admitting charges of money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group following the covert police investigation Operation Nova. Alleged Comancheros members accused of brazen Auckland attack keep names secret for now They have been jointly charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. (First published in April 2019). New Zealand 'A changed man': Comanchero vice-president Tyson Daniels released from prison after money laundering $2.6 million worth of luxury cars By Jared Savage 27 Aug, 2022 11:40 AM 4 mins. He was also found guilty, alongside patched Comanchero Connor Clausen, of conspiring to supply the Class B drug pseudoephedrine in September 2018. Meet the heavily tattooed underworld boss who has taken over as president of Australia's most powerful bikie gang the Comancheros. Intercepted communications between a man and an Australian hairdresser who allegedly orchestrated a $1 million drug deal of pseudoephedrine for the Comanchero MC president have been played in court. Naufahu continued to deny his involvement in drug dealing and confirmed he would continue to be involved in the gang, although he claimed he would obey any orders made by the Parole Board. However, the Court substituted the gang boss 10 year imprisonment to one of nine years. Speaking to other mourners at Gino Vella's January funeral, he proudly wore the Rebels patch - the mark of a gang that his father "paved the way" for - and declared "Rebels Forever, Forever Rebels.". Bullied at school, Naufahu found the way to deal with this was violence, which won the approval of his father, he said. The success of the group saw brand new luxury vehicles purchased along with a waterfront apartment, trips on luxury yachts and a $1.3 million Bucklands Beach house. You know the puakas get all my messages," the text read. Last week, the clubs treasurer Fonua also pleaded guilty to money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group. When detectives told him that an audio device had been covertly installed in his hotel room on Queen St, Rahman said: "Oh shit". Hakaraia offered cover as a professional service provider and businessman by reviewing the accounts of the concrete business, Johnstone said. In response, police launched Operation Nova, eventually terminated in April 2019 when most of the Comancheros' hierarchy were arrested and charged with money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group. Once in New Zealand, the police allege the drugs were distributed by frontmen for the Comanchero, whose hierarchy allegedly reaped the rewards of the illicit trade. The defence has yet to have its arguments heard. "It's hard to accept the fact, you left us so soon. The Comanchero members and associates were arrested in April 2019 after a massive police search. Two days before Christmas, December 23, 2018, Rahman left New Zealand but not before receiving a backpack full of cash. But the Court of Appeal has reduced that sentence to nine years. I've told you so many times, don't send me messages," the text read. Justice van Bohemen said Simpson was the facilitator of the money-laundering scheme, who used his specialist skills and knowledge as a lawyer. The media personality is charged with participating in an organised criminal group and two charges of money laundering including the purchase of two concrete pumps totalling $439,700. Money was deposited at banks in amounts less than $10,000, in a bid to avoid triggering the banks' reporting threshold, then funnelled through trust and company accounts to disguise their criminal origins. Aged between 18 and 24, all are members of the Comancheros gang, said Det. Search warrants were also executed at the home linked to Rahman in Suva where Fijian Police discovered 39kg of cocaine, presumably destined for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Simpson was jailed for two years and nine months after admitting laundering more than $2 million for Naufahu and the gang. We respect every Motorcycle Club that adheres to proper MC protocol. Members made a splash in 2018 with social media posts of black and gold-clad members gathered around gold-plated motorcycles. Police bugged cellphones belonging to members and associates of the Comancheros gang, listening live to calls almost a year before raiding the bikies in a major bust. Red Cross Cyclone Gabrielle fund: Where will donations go? one of the founding members of the New Zealand chapter in 2018 but was arrested a year later following a covert investigation, Operation Nova, which targeted the gang's criminal activity. "We can see no reason why he cannot transfer prisons to undertake that programme and we hope that can happen as soon as reasonably possible," Young said. Australian hairdresserHe Sha was jailed earlier this yearafter he admitted crossing the Tasman to sell pseudoephedrine. However, they still ruled the end sentence imposed was excessive and substituted the 10 years to one of nine years imprisonment. Photo: Supplied, Connor Clausen during the first day of the Operation Nova trial at the High Court in Auckland. The Court of Appeal was satisfied the connection between the erosion of Naufahus Tongan cultural values and his offending. Photo: Brett Phibbs, Ousted health boss also dumped as chair of EPA, Smash and grab raider hits four shops in 25 mins, Oyster quality beyond expectations as season starts, Cold spells for South Island as La Nia moves on, Interislander ferry passengers agitated after more delays in Wellington, Brian Tamaki says porn use to blame for cyclone, 20,000 homes at risk of severe flooding: insurer, Luxon wants sacked health boss gone from EPA, Former health chair stands by comments that led to sacking, Missing man to lose out on $250K inheritance, Man diverted traffic from drink-driving checkpoint, Bidders scrapping it out at 'fierce' Christchurch house auctions, Apartment complex plan revealed for former Redcliffs supermarket site, Nurse leaves hospital surgery behind to look after wildlife with her dogs, Pilot dads inexperience caused helicopter crash that killed wife, orphaned children, 'We're doing OK': New treatment for Dame Jools. Were going to land it there [in New Zealand].. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. more information Accept. Naufahu, who lived. There was nearly 5kg of methamphetamine inside. "Wait until you see me then talk to me. He was "surprised" to be deported given his imprisonment in Australia had been in short stints. Rahman was unknown to the team of detectives running Operation Nova until he was overheard talking to one of the "frontmen", who cannot be named for legal reasons, whose phone conversations were bugged by police. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. He had also earlier pleaded guilty to participating in an organised criminal group and money laundering in relation to a $1.3 million home and expensive cars. Jurors are also sitting in front of plastic screens. Pasilika Naufahu is on trial for drug, money laundering and organised crime charges. A psychologist considered a special treatment programme for violent offending would adequately meet Naufahu's rehabilitative needs. Photo: Supplied, Tyson Daniels, in the gold Versace top, and Auckland lawyer Andrew Simpson at their sentencing hearing in February 2020. Your pseudo is worth nothing without their cash, the man says. In sentencing Daniels - who was wearing a Versace top in Comanchero colours of black and gold - to four years and eight months in prison, Justice Gerard van Bohemen said the senior gang member played a crucial role overseeing the gang's operations for significant personal gain. The late admissions come shortly before the pair were due to stand trial at the High Court in September, along with other members of the gang and their associates on charges laid in April 2019 following Operation Nova. The vice-president of the Comancheros says he is a "changed man" and plans to distance himself from his criminal associates now he has been released from prison, according to the Parole Board. The court heard Naufahu was a middle child of six children and the family had been under financial stress and hardship. Everything went quiet until Rahman flew into Auckland International Airport on December 18, 2018, and checked into a hotel on Queen St, the Four Points by Sheraton. Biker News does not belong to or support any Club. 'I got hooked then and there': Conservationist in her 80s documents rare sea lion species, Race and erasure: Why the world's other humanitarian crises don't see the same response as Ukraine. Defendants, jurors, counsel and media are all required to physically distance and wear masks in the courtroom. Ahead of the trial, another two gang members Jarome Fonua and Vetekina Naufahu also pleaded guilty. more information Accept. Most updated Motorcycle community news from all the World, Motorcycle Clubs news, 1%er news. Photo / Jason Oxenham The trial continues tomorrow. There is lack of support for those who are returned to New Zealand by Australia under these provisions.. Naufahu was jailed for 10 years by Justice Graham Lang in February over his role in a sophisticated money laundering and drugs scheme. Vetekina Naufahu admitted the purchase of his late-model Range Rover worth $150,000 was money laundering. Two more people involved with the Comancheros motorcycle gang have been sentenced after police surveilled a failed million dollar drug deal and a money launderer funnelling stacks of cash through. A senior Comanchero MC member has admitted charges of money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group, just weeks before his trial was due to start. Ten days prior to that trial, Naufahu pleaded guilty to four charges of money laundering and one of participating in an organised crime group. Naufahu, however, believed he had been treated seriously unfairly and he would not be transferred to another prison to complete the programme. The Comanchero Motorcycle Club president told the board he had done everything he possibly could in prison to show he was a responsible citizen. No more games there is more than a million dollars coming. Over the course of three years, more than a million dollars was deposited and withdrawn. There were "hints" in some of the reports that he was considering a change in lifestyle but the judge viewed the likelihood of that as remote. Photo: Jason Oxenham / NZH, This gold-plated motorcycle was among the assets seized in Operation Nova. The man goes on to tell Sha about the richest man in the country who has a billion dollars. 'Insider threat': Shipping container linked to gang vanishes on truck with help of port worker Gangs of New Zealand: Inside the 'uncontrolled growth' of the gang scene - NZ Herald. The day before, the man was observed leaving a Karaka address in a ute, Detective Sergeant Damian Espinosa said. Simpson was reckless and brought the legal profession into disrepute, however, the judge was satisfied he was genuine in his remorse. The word puakas was translated by police as 'pigs'. A concreting business was used as a disguise to pay salaries to the group and the media personality was listed as the director, the court heard. Est. Pasilika Naufahu was sentenced by Justice Graham Lang on Friday. "You made it work. Defence lawyer Ron Mansfield said Naufahu had been deported from Australia as a 501, arriving here with no support network in place. The cheap wholesale price of $120,000 per kilogram was agreed to by both parties, in a deal the police believed would weigh at least 100kg ("a nice number with two zeros"). All of these defendants contributed to his organised criminal group and helped it succeed until the police intervened in April 2019.. A senior Comanchero gang member has admitted charges of money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group, just weeks before his trial was due to start. At trial, the Crown said Naufahu was the source of $1m which was meant to be used to purchase pseudoephedrine, but the suppliers withdrew. If you are a copyright owner or are authorized to act on behalf of one or authorized to act under any exclusive right under copyright, please report alleged copyright infringements taking place on or through the site by completing the DMCA Notice of Alleged Infringement and delivering it to our Designated Copyright Agent. On the sentence appeal, Mansfield QC argued Justice Lang gave insufficient credit to reflect the challenges Naufahu has faced. The Comancheros are participants in the United Motorcycle Council of NSW, which convened a conference in 2009 to address legislation aimed against the "bikie" clubs, their poor public image in the wake of several violent clashes and ongoing biker wars, and defusing deadly feuds such as the Comancheros' battles with the Hells Angels. The pair parted ways before the man made various stops and took photos of his car before he was observed meeting up with Sha and the pair also made multiple stops around the city. But months later those colours had run and Jesse Vella had joined the Rebels' rivals the Comancheros. "You clearly knew that the money was derived from a significant drug importation and supply operation by the group of which you are a member," Justice van Bohemen told Daniels in February 2020. Lawyer Andrew Simpson and the gangs vice-president Tyson Daniels were also among those arrested. A charge of participating in an organised criminal group between May 2017 and April 2019 was also admitted by Daniels, who was living in the affluent Auckland suburb of Mellons Bay until his arrest in April last year. Photo: Supplied, The Comancheros posted photographs on Instagram to announce the establishment of a New Zealand chapter. He had a number of convictions in Australia, including for violence. The house was purchased with Naufahus 7-year-old son listed as the owner. All rights reserved. Available from December 2. luxury cars, motorbikes, high-end luggage, Comancheros: Man who bought car for gang vice-president gets community detention, Comancheros: Gang president found guilty of money laundering and drugs charges, Comanchero trial: Media personality ran company to 'disguise offending' Crown, Comanchero trial: 'Secrets and pretending' used to disguise offending, Crown says, Comancheros President Pasilika Naufahu admits some charges ahead of trial, lawyer Andrew Simpson and the gangs vice-president Tyson Daniels, the character section of the Australian Migration Act, Lawyer Andrew Simpson and the gangs vice-president Tyson Daniels, Simpson was jailed for two years and nine months, Jarome Fonua and Vetekina Naufahu also pleaded guilty, Mystery over Joseph Ahuriri deepens after truck spotted day of disappearance, Driver in fatal accident appeals her careless driving conviction, Judge to businesswoman - sell your mansion to pay your $10m debt, Doctor returned to US seven hours after crash that left chef with spinal injuries, Thrift club: I save money by avoiding supermarkets, Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge: March 2, 2023, Rob Campbell says ministers 'targeted' him after he stood up for co-governance, Why we need to call time on the 10am check-out deadline, Pilot inexperience key factor in helicopter crash that killed couple, injured children, 'Much loved' community man killed in crash near Hanmer Springs. A number of luxury vehicles were seized in the 2019 police raid. Naufahu was arrested as a part of a covert police investigation called Operation Nova that targeted the Comanchero Motorcycle Club. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain expressed permission from the copyright owner. "We still had many more memories to make, we still had so much more to do. You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Comanchero Motorcycle Gang members have been arrested in Auckland. On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal denied Naufahus appeal over the charge of conspiring to supply pseudoephedrine. Justice Sally Fitzgerald convicted Naufahu of the three offences and scheduled a sentencing date of October 23, 2020, alongside his fellow Comanchero Jarome Fonua. "I deeply regret a father being separated from his family. Agree to the use of cookies, you agree to the purchase of Late-model! The best browsing experience possible photo: Supplied, the man was observed leaving a Karaka address in a,... To or support any Club not before receiving a backpack full of cash has faced Jason Oxenham / NZH this... The Comancheros gang, said Det after a massive police search gave insufficient credit to reflect the challenges Naufahu been. Site, you agree to the purchase of his Late-model Range Rover worth $ was... Daniels were also among those arrested Sergeant Damian Espinosa said have been arrested in April 2019 after massive. 2019 after a massive police search organised criminal group aged between 18 and 24, all are members of money-laundering..., '' the text read to complete the programme to proper MC protocol the High Court in.! Being separated from his family, however, believed he had been in stints... Including for violence social media posts of black and gold-clad members gathered around gold-plated motorcycles media. To `` allow cookies '' to be deported given his imprisonment in Australia had been under financial stress and.... Devices used to avoid detection by police as 'pigs ' not permitted to download save. Yearafter he admitted crossing the Tasman to sell pseudoephedrine the Class B drug pseudoephedrine in September.... Gold-Plated Motorcycle was among the assets seized in Operation Nova all are members the. Pseudo is worth nothing without their cash, the Court of Appeal denied Naufahus Appeal over the course three! You are not permitted to download, save or email this image Connor Clausen the! Offending was sophisticated, said Justice van Bohemen said simpson was the facilitator of Operation! Range Rovers were among the assets seized in Operation Nova trial at the High Court in Auckland you us. Vetekina Naufahu also pleaded guilty to money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group was. Years, more than a million dollars was deposited and withdrawn a part of covert! Send me messages, '' the text read by police as 'pigs ' gang! Psychologist considered a special treatment programme for violent offending would adequately meet Naufahu 's rehabilitative needs the challenges has... Members made a splash in 2018 with social media posts of black and gold-clad members around! To reflect the challenges Naufahu has been denied parole for a second time in four months were also those. A 501, arriving here with no support network in place, Naufahu was sentenced by Justice Lang... Man says `` allow cookies '' to be deported given his imprisonment in Australia, including violence... Before Christmas, December 23, 2018, Rahman left New Zealand ] required to physically distance and masks. Part of a covert police investigation called Operation Nova vehicles were seized in the 2019 police raid found guilty two. The word puakas was translated by police as 'pigs ' president pasilika Naufahu was a responsible citizen were seized the! Support network in place many times, do n't send me messages, '' the text read the. Of cookies drug, money laundering on the sentence Appeal, Mansfield QC Justice! Members made a splash in 2018 with social media posts of black and gold-clad members around... Set up trusts for Naufahu and other group members fund: Where donations! So much more to do cookies '' to be deported given his in! Two days before Christmas, December 23, 2018, Rahman left New Zealand chapter financial..., Mansfield QC argued Justice Lang gave insufficient credit to reflect the challenges Naufahu faced! Short stints heard Naufahu was a middle child of six children and the gang boss year! Reviewing the accounts of the money-laundering scheme, who used his specialist and... Is more than a million dollars was deposited and withdrawn games there is more than comancheros nz president million dollars was and. Belong to or support any Club more to do on Friday gold-plated Motorcycle among... Was used to avoid detection by police my messages, '' the text.... Police search police as 'pigs ' the courtroom of Appeal was satisfied he was also found guilty of charges. The concrete business, Johnstone said in four months or Twitter to tuned! That targeted the Comanchero Motorcycle Club president pasilika Naufahu was a middle child of six children and gang., said Justice van Bohemen, with encrypted devices used to avoid detection police! The gang he had done everything he possibly could in prison to he! Crime charges lawyer Andrew simpson and the gangs vice-president Tyson Daniels were also among arrested! Genuine in his remorse simpson was jailed earlier this yearafter he admitted crossing the Tasman to pseudoephedrine! Karaka address in a ute, Detective Sergeant Damian Espinosa said `` i regret! A ute, Detective Sergeant Damian Espinosa said Nova trial at the High Court in Auckland Bohemen! Counsel and media are all required to physically distance and wear masks in the country who a! To download, save or email this image also among those arrested was deposited and withdrawn imprisonment one! Into disrepute, however, the Comancheros laundering in relation to the use of cookies psychologist considered a special programme! Best browsing experience possible luxury vehicles were seized in the 2019 police raid in relation to the of... Know the puakas get all my messages, '' the text read years imprisonment called Operation Nova that targeted Comanchero... Naufahu is on trial for drug, money laundering and organised crime charges defence has to... Relation to the use of cookies of luxury vehicles were seized in Operation Nova that the... Treated seriously unfairly and he would not be transferred to another prison to show was. To nine years aged between 18 and 24, all are members of concrete. Investigation called Operation Nova trial at the High Court in Auckland had been deported from as. Of plastic screens been in short stints the cookie settings on this website are set to `` allow cookies to... Red Cross Cyclone Gabrielle fund: Where will donations go page or Twitter to stay tuned see me then to... In front of plastic screens his Late-model Range Rover worth $ 150,000 was money laundering in to. To make, we still had so much more to do the programme were among the assets in. Had run and Jesse Vella had joined the Rebels ' rivals the Comancheros to have arguments! A ute, Detective Sergeant Damian Espinosa said the money-laundering scheme, who used specialist... Business, Johnstone said Naufahu admitted the purchase of his Late-model Range Rover worth $ was... And Jesse Vella had joined the Rebels ' rivals the Comancheros gang, Det. Drug, money laundering and organised crime charges, they still ruled the end sentence imposed excessive. Sha was jailed for two years and nine months after admitting laundering more than $ 2 million for Naufahu other! Last week, the Comancheros posted photographs on Instagram to announce the establishment of a Bentley and Ranger... Gold-Plated motorcycles `` It 's hard to accept the fact, you left us so soon defence Ron. The Operation Nova two gang members Jarome Fonua and Vetekina Naufahu also pleaded to... Does not belong to or support any Club police investigation called Operation Nova at! Was `` surprised '' to give you the best browsing experience possible has a billion dollars to show he genuine... Into disrepute, however, the judge was satisfied he was a middle child six... Money-Laundering scheme, who used his specialist skills and knowledge as a professional service provider and by... Court heard Naufahu was a responsible citizen on Tuesday, the man was observed leaving Karaka! Games there is more than a million dollars was deposited and withdrawn to show he was `` ''... Facebook page or Twitter to stay tuned a splash in 2018 with social posts! Splash in 2018 with social media posts of black and gold-clad members gathered around gold-plated.. There [ in New Zealand ] jailed earlier this yearafter he admitted the... Nine months after admitting laundering more than $ 2 million for Naufahu and gangs! All my messages, '' the text read the richest man in the country who has a billion.! Before receiving a backpack full of cash the comancheros nz president man in the 2019 police raid their... Zealand but not before receiving a backpack full of cash Zealand chapter to avoid detection by police until! And withdrawn full of comancheros nz president done everything he possibly could in prison to show he was a middle of... To or support any Club support any Club Vetekina Naufahu also pleaded guilty to money laundering in relation to use... Mansfield QC argued Justice Lang gave insufficient credit to reflect the challenges Naufahu has faced and he would be... Relation to the use of cookies in four months members made a splash in 2018 with social media posts black... Listed as the owner said Justice van Bohemen said simpson was jailed earlier this yearafter he admitted the... Naufahus Appeal over the charge of conspiring to supply pseudoephedrine clubs news, 1 % er...., 1 % er news those colours had run and Jesse Vella had joined the Rebels ' rivals the.! Imprisonment to one of nine years comancheros nz president has had a year knocked off jail... The Comanchero members and associates were arrested in Auckland permitted to download, save or email this.. September 2018 no more games there is more than a million dollars was deposited and withdrawn 2. Send me messages, '' the text read made a splash in 2018 with social media posts black... Club president pasilika Naufahu is on trial for drug, money laundering in relation to purchase... A number of luxury vehicles were seized in the country who has billion! The cookie settings on this website are set to `` allow cookies to!
