Mansfield said Naufahu has never shied away from admitting to being the president of the New Zealand chapter of the Comanchero gang. File photo. "He accepted that he lived a high lifestyle, but he said he has now learned that reconnection with his culture and family is more important.". 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. "We are satisfied he is at high risk of re-offending given his past, given his personality, and given his involvement in the Comancheros gang.". Biker News does not belong to or support any Club. Former Comancheros President Mick Hawi was jailed manslaughter after he stabbed and bludgeoned rival Hells Angel bikie Anthony Zervas in the domestic departure hall of Sydney Airport in 2009.. Around the same time, a consignment of a kitchen stovetops shipped from the United States had been seized by Customs and examined. Aged between 18 and 24, all are members of the Comancheros gang, said Det. The jury trial at the High Court is the first one to be held under the current enhancedCovid-19 alert level 2.5in Auckland. You made it work. 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. Former ACT president of Comancheros bikie gang Peter Zdravkovic jailed over fraud, drug possession Victoria Police Police Detective Horrific Arrest Melbourne Fight South Possible explosives found in Narre Warren after two Comanchero bikies arrested Melbourne Restaurants Fire Inside Concert Concerts Bikies arrested after Melbourne shootout Despite this, Simpson was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. 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. "Your place in the Comancheros hierarchy means you were one of the directors of this serious offending, which exemplifies how organised criminal groups can obtain significant financial benefit from offending without putting themselves directly at risk.". Pasilika Naufahu is on trial for drug, money laundering and organised crime charges. The Comancheros gang boss has been denied parole for a second time in four months because he is still considered an excessive risk if released. (First published September 2020). Sha arrived in New Zealand from Sydney on September 15, 2018; three days later, the other associate arrived in the country. In August,club treasurer Jarome FonuaandVetekinaadmitted their parts in the operation. How many times do I need to say - I'm gonna get arrested soon. The offending was sophisticated, said Justice van Bohemen, with encrypted devices used to avoid detection by police. More than $1.2m in cash was deposited into Simpson's trust account at his law practice, which was also used to purchase some of the cars belonging to Daniels and allegedly others in the gang, as well as real estate such as a $1.3m home in Auckland. He said he is paid $2200 a week before tax - the equivalent of $114,000 a year - by a company which was run by another defendant, who has name suppression. There cant be any sensible reason that these payments were loans, Johnstone said. Fonua had earlier pleaded guilty to participating in an organised criminal group, money laundering and possession of 5.9g of methamphetamine. Naufahu - whose brother Pasilika is the president of the New Zealand chapter of the Australian motorcycle club - also pleaded guilty to possession of MDMA, or Ecstasy, which is a Class-B controlled drug. Photo: Supplied, The Comancheros posted photographs on Instagram to announce the establishment of a New Zealand chapter. The gang boss was also found guilty, along with Connor Clausen, of conspiring to supply pseudoephedrine. "No it doesn't matter if you delete all my messages already [go] all to the puakas. 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. The #1 Biker News Website Since 2011-Covering up to minute biker news including Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs & Biker News Worldwide. When you work carefully through the glimpse of reality behind the secrets and pretending, the picture is perfectly clear, Johnstone said. Nearly $1.3 million in cash was deposited into the lawyers trust account, which was then used to purchase expensive cars and property. 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. "From the way that I talk from the way that I move. Five people, including the boss Pasilika Naufahu, are on trial in the High Court at Auckland facing drug, money laundering and organised crime charges. It talks about being able to pay off $200,000 of a mortgage, and spend the rest of his life on holiday around the world. The 501 scheme is the the character section of the Australian Migration Act which allows the cancellation of visas. By Leighton Keith, Open Justice reporter of, Comanchero Motorcycle Club president Pasilika Naufahu has been denied parole for a second time in four months. Officers then observed the ute park up in Howick next to a white Range Rover. The defence has yet to have its arguments heard. The deal never went ahead. Pasilika Naufahu was jailed for his part in a drug and money laundering scheme. Justice Sally Fitzgerald convicted Naufahu of the three offences and scheduled a sentencing date of October 23, 2020, alongside his fellow Comanchero Jarome Fonua. This didn't occur during his upbringing in Sydney, but in 2016 when he was deported to New Zealand under the 501 scheme, without any meaningful support or guidance. We are making these materials available in an effort for news reporting or educational purposes. 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. Photo: Supplied, Tyson Daniels, in the gold Versace top, and Auckland lawyer Andrew Simpson at their sentencing hearing in February 2020. The Australian underworld was left shocked by the high-profile switch, which one source told News.com.au shows that the Comacheros do "what they want, when they want". The brother of the Comanchero gang president has been jailed after moving to New Zealand to help his deported sibling. One Saturday morning in August 2018 - months before the April 2019 raid - a person who police say is Naufahu's father, sends him a text. But he had endeavoured to provide his wife and four children with the life he never had, he said. The gang was joined by others whose skills and attributes helped the flow of financial rewards, the court heard. On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal denied Naufahus appeal over the charge of conspiring to supply pseudoephedrine. Justice Graham Lang sentenced him today in the High Court at Auckland. Video / Mike Scott. But the Court of Appeal has reduced that sentence to nine years. Naufahu was declared bankrupt in 2010 in Australia, however on arrival in New Zealand he opened a bank account and up until 2019, $1.1 million was deposited. In one, lawyer Andrew Simpson - already convicted and jailed for money laundering - tells another man that he can tell "the boys" a $100,000 cheque has landed. This (is) that new s***," Meehan wrote in the Instagram post announcing the switch which saw the pair posed in with a motorcycle and the Comanchero insignia. Clausen is charged with conspiring to supply class B drug pseudoephedrine. An annual lemonade stand that raises money for children battling cancer is coming to a local Hells Angels club this year. 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. Shortly after the man and Naufahu were seen by police sitting in the Howick Village Cafe. I'm on a big case over here.". Photo: Jason Oxenham / NZH, This gold-plated motorcycle was among the assets seized in Operation Nova. 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. Topics Selection,Research, Editing, Correction Policy and Ethics, A MONGOL who survived a bullet to the brain in an alleged attempted hit by two rival Finks gunmen says he has little memory of the attack. I thought you'd be happy to hear that.". The poaching is seen as a power move by Meehan, who only recently took over as President after former boss Mick Murray was arrested in April over a 2019 murder. Clausen also admitted being in possession of a pistol and ammunition and a pump-action shotgun and shells. A lawyer was used to set up trusts for Naufahu and other group members. Gang president Pasilika Naufahu was among those put behind bars, sentenced to 10 years' jail after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply the Class B drug pseudoephedrine. Earlier this month Naufahu admitted participating in an organised criminal group, four charges of money laundering and being in possession of ammunition. His sentence was later reduced to nine years and three months by the Court of Appeal. Jul 2019. When detectives told him that an audio device had been covertly installed in his hotel room on Queen St, Rahman said: "Oh shit". '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 reality was that [the media personality] was running [the concreting business] for the joint benefit for himself and the organised criminal group, Johnstone said. 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 club and their associates on charges laid in April 2019 following Operation Nova. Gang president Pasilika Naufahu was among those put behind bars, sentenced to 10 years' jail after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply the Class B drug pseudoephedrine. Neither man was charged with drug offences. Your pseudo is worth nothing without their cash, the man says. 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. He said: Youre going to start off with a nice number with two zeroes. When detectives told him that an audio device had been covertly installed in his hotel room on Queen St, Rahman said: Oh shit. 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.". Vetekina Naufahu admitted to money laundering and possessing ecstasy, and is the latest Comanchero member to be sentenced after massive police raids in 2019. Pasilika Naufahu appeared before the Parole Board on 12 September, and was again refused early release after he first became eligible for parole on 11 May. A trial involving laundering and drug charges againstComanchero president Pasilika Naufahu, Connor Michael Tamati Clausen, accountant Wiwini Himi Hakaraia, a media personality who has name suppression, and a woman also with name suppression is in its third week at the High Court at Auckland. More rain could further damage Central Hawke's Bay's rural roads, Comanchero gang leader Pasilika Naufahu jailed for 10 years, 'Largest ever' meth bust in NZ: Police, Customs seize 613kg of the drug, Comancheros-linked would-be drug courier jailed over failed deal, 'We have land that is build-ready': Housing minister considers temporary Hawke's Bay villages, Prolific 'pork' tag appears in Auckland 1000 times in just over one year, Immigration declines residency visa for family of much-needed Wairoa nurse, Some freight railway lines will remain closed for months due to Cyclone Gabrielle damage - KiwiRail. We growing stronger and stronger.". "Welcome to A-grade. Ten days prior to that trial, Naufahu pleaded guilty to four charges of money laundering and one of participating in an organised crime group. Connor Clausen had his conviction appeal dismissed. Naufahu has denied conspiring to import a class A drug, conspiring to supply class B drug pseudoephedrine and three charges of money laundering, namely using $212,796.96 towards purchasing a Bentley, Ford Ranger and a concrete pump. Comanchero Motorcycle Gang members have been arrested in Auckland. On the sentence appeal, Mansfield QC argued Justice Lang gave insufficient credit to reflect the challenges Naufahu has faced. 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. more information Accept. The 35-year-old was sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2021 for participating in an organised criminal group, conspiring to deal in a Class B controlled drug, money laundering, unlawful possession of ammunition and assault. Jurors have been told intercepted calls show coded conversations, discussion of hundreds of thousands of dollars and a suspicion that police had tapped mobile phones. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook The Comancheros gang boss has been denied parole for a second time in four months because he is still considered an excessive risk if released. Senior Comancheros Tyson Daniels, left, and Jarome Fonua have pleaded guilty to money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group. At the Court of Appeal, Ron Mansfield QC argued the statements made by a man who has name suppression, should have been ruled inadmissible because there was an absence of reasonable evidence that Naufahu was a member of the $1m conspiracy to supply pseudoephedrine. 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 Court of Appeal judges accepted Justice Langs 10 per cent discount for cultural factors was appropriate given Naufahu chose to take up the leading role in the Comancheros. When brought in for questioning by police, Rahman claimed to be in New Zealand on holiday. Biker News does not belong to or support any Club. The offending was sophisticated, said Justice van Bohemen, with encrypted devices used to avoid detection by police. He had also earlier. Mick Hawi was a former Comanchero MC President. The president of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club has had a year knocked off his jail term. A video, taken by police, was played at trial showing the brother of a man who the Crown says is at the heart of the case and an Australian hairdresser meeting with Clausen. More than $4 million worth of assets were seized. 1 Dec, 2021 01:00 AM . We respect every Motorcycle Club that adheres to proper MC protocol. Three days later, Rahman's son checked into the same hotel and was seen meeting with another man, a 19-year-old Mexican national, who also cannot be identified for legal reasons. This website may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Rahman returned to New Zealand and was arrested by the National Organised Crime Group, along with the 19-year-old from Mexico and a 33-year-old Chinese man called Hui Wang. A video, taken by police, was played at trial showing the brother of a man who the Crown says is at the heart of the case and an Australian hairdresser meeting with Clausen. Board chairman Sir Ron Young said it was pointed out that Naufahu had the responsibility of caring for young children, and that appeared to conflict with the fact of his significant involvement in money laundering and conspiracy to supply drugs. The word puakas was translated by police as 'pigs'. The 501, who was deported to New Zealand in 2016, was arrested after raids across Auckland in April 2019, resulting in more than $3.7 million in assets being seized including luxury cars, motorbikes, high-end luggage and jewellery. 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. I've told you so many times, don't send me messages," the text read. Comanchero gang leader Pasilika Naufahu has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Naufahu moved to Australia when he was 1 year old and was deported when he was 28, Mansfield said. "We still had many more memories to make, we still had so much more to do. Young said the board was confident the programme recommended was the appropriate risk-based treatment for him and hoped he would undertake it with an open mind. Fonua, the gang's secretary was sentenced to four years and six months and drug runner Connor Clausen was jailed in December for three years and eight months. He was called the Wire Guy because he laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash in wire transfers overseas. Copyright Star Media Network 2019. NZ Police want leaders of King Cobras and the Rebels MC to start peace talks, Two men charged with the murder of NZ Outlaws leader Peter Lui, Comanchero MC in New Zealand: Presidents brother pleads guilty, Nomads MC national prez arrested over firearms and criminal group charges, Alleged Nomads leader refused bail over shootings charges after Canberra raids, DMCA Notice of Alleged Infringement and delivering it to our Designated Copyright Agent. Arrived in New Zealand chapter of the Comancheros posted photographs on Instagram to announce the establishment of New... Fonuaandvetekinaadmitted their parts in the operation and shells wife and four children with the life he never,! 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