I thought you'd be happy to hear that.". The offending was sophisticated, said Justice van Bohemen, with encrypted devices used to avoid detection by police. 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 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. Nearly $1.3 million in cash was deposited into the lawyer's trust account, which was then used to purchase expensive cars and property. He had a number of convictions in Australia, including for violence. The president and his brother, Vetekina, also received regular monthly payments from a business in Australia, the court heard. An annual lemonade stand that raises money for children battling cancer is coming to a local Hells Angels club this year. You set up the trusts and lent respectability, as a lawyer, to a criminal organisation.. "Dad, don't send me message [sic] like that. This website may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. READ MORE: * 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. Photo: Supplied, The Comancheros posted photographs on Instagram to announce the establishment of a New Zealand chapter. 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. 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. "Dad I wrote this for you, with a heavy heart, holding your reading glasses, listening to roadhouse blues. One of the Comanchero members pictured is Pasilika Naufahu, once a senior member of the gang in Sydney, who was deported two years ago, according to the New Zealand Herald. This stabbing attack occurred as part of the Sydney Airport Brawl in 2009. Connor Clausen had his conviction appeal dismissed. Justice Sally Fitzgerald convicted Naufahu of the three offences and scheduled a sentencing date of October 23, 2020, alongside his fellow Comanchero Jarome Fonua. Two days before Christmas, December 23, 2018, Rahman left New Zealand but not before receiving a backpack full of cash. However, they still ruled the end sentence imposed was excessive and substituted the 10 years to one of nine years imprisonment. "All done and sworn in welcome aboard to my brothers in New Zealand," an Australian member of the Comancheros posted on Instagram. Photo: Supplied, Senior Comancheros Tyson Daniels, left, and Jarome Fonua have pleaded guilty to money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group. All of these defendants contributed to his organised criminal group and helped it succeed until the police intervened in April 2019.. The sentencing of Comanchero vice- president Tyson Daniels and lawyer Andrew Simpson; inset, Jarome Fonua; below, two of the vehicles seized. Most updated Motorcycle community news from all the World, Motorcycle Clubs news, 1%er news. He was also found guilty, alongside patched Comanchero Connor Clausen, of conspiring to supply the Class B drug pseudoephedrine in September 2018. Comanchero Motorcycle Gang members have been arrested in Auckland. Mick Hawi was a former Comanchero MC President. And it came just days after "Mick" Hawi, the former national president of the Comancheros in Australia, was fatally gunned down in a Sydney gym carpark, by two masked men in broad daylight. The Parole Board imposed special conditions on his release until his sentence officially ends in May 2024. Naufahu eventually found comradeship with gangs in Sydney and the Comancheros before being deported to New Zealand. In the absence of his colleagues, the 20-year-old was promoted as the acting "commander" until his arrest in another covert investigation, Operation Cincinnati, in late 2020. 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. You set up the trusts and lent respectability, as a lawyer, to a criminal organisation.". 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. Naufahu and Clausen are charged alongside Sha and the brother of a man who theCrown say is at the heart of the casewith consipiring to supply pseudoephedrine. The police investigation was into the supply of controlled drugs from the New Zealand chapter of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club. The house was purchased with Naufahus 7-year-old son listed as the owner. Bullied at school, Naufahu found the way to deal with this was violence, which won the approval of his father, he said. On the sentence appeal, Mansfield QC argued Justice Lang gave insufficient credit to reflect the challenges Naufahu has faced. Shortly after the man and Naufahu were seen by police sitting in the Howick Village Cafe. 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. Photo: Supplied Daniels was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison, later extended by three months for punching another inmate. 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. Naufahu was arrested following a series of raids across Auckland in April 2019, in which more than $3.7 million in assets was seized along with luxury cars, motorbikes, high-end luggage and jewellery. The jury trial at the High Court is the first one to be held under the current enhancedCovid-19 alert level 2.5in Auckland. Justice van Bohemen said Simpson was the facilitator of the money-laundering scheme, who used his specialist skills and knowledge as a lawyer. Clausen also admitted being in possession of a pistol and ammunition and a pump-action shotgun and shells. In New Zealand, time is the business, if you f time, you never make money in this business, the man says. Later that afternoon, the man is heard telling Sha to tell the guy thats coming with the pseudo to drop it in the boot. "I know you're up there in the forever chapter, sinking them down at the bar, flying that flag with 13 stars. But the police allege the Comanchero, an Australian motorcycle club which set up shop in New Zealand after a number of senior members were deported here, are behind significant drug smuggling linked to a Mexican cartel. Neither man was charged with drug offences. Their shared trial had started with five defendants but that number dropped by two when several charges were withdrawn midway. Jesse Vella, nephew of former Rebels President Alex Vella and cousin of current President Damien Vella, touched upon the club in the poem he read at the service. He is capable. 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. Intercepted communications and video taken by police showed the man and Naufahu meeting, but Mansfield QC argued the meetings involved money laundering and not pseudoephedrine. He had also earlier. (First published September 2020). Young said the board was convinced Naufahu remained an undue risk and could not be released. Photo: Michael Craig, A New Zealand chapter of the Comancheros gang was established in 2018 after members were deported from Australia. A psychologist considered a special treatment programme for violent offending would adequately meet Naufahu's rehabilitative needs. However, the Court substituted the gang boss 10 year imprisonment to one of nine years. We believe this corresponds with a fair use of any such copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law). Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook. 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. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Earlier this month, Fakaosilea was found guilty on several charges of conspiring to import methamphetamine, including a 600kg shipment from South Africa, as well as supplying the Class-A drug. 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. No more games there is more than a million dollars coming. Video / Mike Scott. 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. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. 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. The defence has yet to have its arguments heard. The covert investigation ended in April 2019, when most of the Comancheros' hierarchy were arrested on offences of money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group. He said: Youre going to start off with a nice number with two zeroes. Justice Graham Lang sentenced him today in the High Court at Auckland. A number of trusts were set up and various bank accounts were used to launder money to then purchase luxury cars and property. Later, another recording includes the Comancheros president talking to a bank operator over the phone to apply for a credit card. Video / NZ Herald. (First published in April 2019). Lawyer Andrew Simpson and the gangs vice-president Tyson Daniels were also among those arrested. New Zealand chapter president Pasilika Naufahu, vice-president Tyson Daniels and Jarome Fonua today entered guilty pleas to an amended joint charge of assault after punching a man . The president of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club has had a year knocked off his jail term. Over the course of three years, more than a million dollars was deposited and withdrawn. The deal never went ahead. They dont want to arrive if the pseudo is not here, the man replies. Pasilika Naufahu was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Justice Graham Lang on Friday at the High Court at Auckland. Vetekina and Fonua now join Tyson Daniels, the clubs vice-president, and Auckland lawyer Andrew Simpson in being convicted of laundering criminal profits. I'll just have to wait for my time to come. Tallat Rahman, from Suva, was arrested in February 2019 in the first phase of the inquiry, which discovered how parcels of methamphetamine weighing up to 5kg were hidden inside kitchen appliances shipped from the United States. A trial involving laundering and drug charges against Comanchero president Pasilika Naufahu, Connor Michael Tamati Clausen, accountant Wiwini Himi Hakaraia, a media personality who has name The Comancheros gang was founded in Sydney in the 1960s and has been growing in size and influence in New Zealand in recent years. STUFF 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. Biker News does not belong to or support any Club. File photo. Allan Meehan, 35, is the new leader of Australia's most powerful . 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. Visit the #1 Biker Channel on YouTube and get straight up commentary on whats happening in the biker scene. 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.". Officers then observed the ute park up in Howick next to a white Range Rover. But he had endeavoured to provide his wife and four children with the life he never had, he said. "I deeply regret a father being separated from his family. Simpson was jailed for two years and nine months after admitting laundering more than $2 million for Naufahu and the gang. "It would take considerable willpower on your part to break away from those contacts.". In July, a 60-year-old man who travelled to Mexico was sentenced to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to four charges of importing a Class A drug after being identified in Operation Nova. Simpson was reckless and brought the legal profession into disrepute, however, the judge was satisfied he was genuine in his remorse. When you work carefully through the glimpse of reality behind the secrets and pretending, the picture is perfectly clear, Johnstone said. Make sure you have subscribed to our Facebook page or Twitter to stay tuned! The offending was sophisticated, said Justice van Bohemen, with encrypted devices used to avoid detection by police. Senior Comancheros Tyson Daniels, left, and Jarome Fonua have pleaded guilty to money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group. 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. He was "surprised" to be deported given his imprisonment in Australia had been in short stints. Three days later, Rahmans 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. 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.. When detectives told him that an audio device had been covertly installed in his hotel room on Queen St, Rahman said: Oh shit. 1 Dec, 2021 01:00 AM . A number of luxury vehicles were seized in the 2019 police raid. 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Naufahu previously admitted participating in an organised criminal group, unlawful possession of ammunition and four charges of money laundering, in relation to the purchase of his Bucklands Beach house. Justice Lang said despite Naufahu steadfastly denying being involved in drug dealing, his conviction was useful insight in to the modus operandi of the gang. The Comanchero members and associates were arrested in April 2019 after a massive police search. Naufahu moved to Australia when he was 1 year old and was deported when he was 28, Mansfield said. Around the same time, a consignment of a kitchen stovetops shipped from the United States had been seized by Customs and examined. His wife and a number of supporters were present in court for Naufahu's sentencing on Friday. "We still had many more memories to make, we still had so much more to do. 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. Defence lawyer Ron Mansfield said Naufahu had been deported from Australia as a 501, arriving here with no support network in place. In the recording, the man can be heard getting frustrated with Sha talking about a deal that he can make nearly half a million dollars from. We are making these materials available in an effort for news reporting or educational purposes. There was nearly 5kg of methamphetamine inside. In 2018, as part of Operation Nova, police detectives from the National Organised Crime Group covertly filmed a drug deal involving the Comancheros motorcycle gang. "Dad", the text says, "don't send me these," then another, "I told you to use your brain". I've told you so many times, don't send me messages," the text read. Payments were also made by Hakaraia to Comanchero vice president Tyson Daniels to buy another new Range Rover. The day before, the man was observed leaving a Karaka address in a ute, Detective Sergeant Damian Espinosa said. The gang was joined by others whose skills and attributes helped the flow of financial rewards, the court heard. Justice van Bohemen said Simpson was the facilitator of the money-laundering scheme, who used his specialist skills and knowledge as a lawyer. Earlier in the case the Crown said that company was used to pay "pretend" salaries to Comancheros members to conceal the true source of the gang's wealth. The trial is set down for four weeks in front of Justice Graham Lang and a jury. An outlaw motorcycle club is a motorcycle subculture.It is generally centered on the use of cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals that purport to celebrate freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the biker group.. Operation Nova was launched in late 2018 because police were concerned about the Comancheros' connections to international organised crime figures, and the gang's immediate impact - along with other Australian outlaw motorcycle clubs - on New Zealand's criminal underworld. The trial of five people linked to the Comancheros gang has been told how close a large drug deal came to being completed in the Auckland suburb of Takanini. This article contains a list of conflicts involving outlaw motorcycle clubs. Naufahu - whose brother Pasilika is the president of the New Zealand chapter of the Australian motorcycle gang - also pleaded guilty to possession of MDMA, or Ecstasy, which is a Class-B controlled drug. At trial, the Crowns case was that Naufahu arrived in New Zealand with zero dollars in his bank account. Earlier, two other men, one of whom will be called as a witness, discuss buying an airplane and whether the particular model could fly all the way from Auckland to Fiji without stopping for fuel. Naufahu, who lived. Photo: Supplied, Connor Clausen during the first day of the Operation Nova trial at the High Court in Auckland. 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. "He did not think in any event that programme would be helpful for him because he did not consider he was a violent person and so that would be essentially a waste of time for him.". The man goes on to tell Sha about the richest man in the country who has a billion dollars. You made it work. 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