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. 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. 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. "Another Comanchero chapter opened up. More than $4 million worth of assets were seized. You clearly knew the money was derived from significant importation of drugs.. The president of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club has had a year knocked off his jail term. 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. Intercepted communications from September 20, 2018, from an audio device fitted in a vehicle were played to the jury on Thursday. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . (First published September 2020). The defence lawyer said upon his clients arrival in New Zealand, he had difficulty opening a bank account, getting accommodation and employment. Im going to land it between you and me [Ill give you] all the f***en work you can handle. 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. 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. I deeply regret a father being separated from his family. However, that is a consequence of your decisions.. 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. (First published in April 2019), luxury cars, motorbikes, high-end luggage, Comancheros gang president Pasilika Naufahu jailed for 10 years, Comancheros: Man who bought car for gang vice-president gets community detention, Comancheros: Gang president found guilty of money laundering and drugs charges, the character section of the Australian Migration Act, 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, Thrift club: I save money by avoiding supermarkets, Doctor returned to US seven hours after crash that left chef with spinal injuries, Why we need to call time on the 10am check-out deadline, Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge: March 2, 2023, Pilot inexperience key factor in helicopter crash that killed couple, injured children, Rob Campbell says ministers 'targeted' him after he stood up for co-governance, 'Much loved' community man killed in crash near Hanmer Springs. 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. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. The Comancheros gang was founded in Sydney in the 1960s and has been growing in size and influence in New Zealand in recent years. 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. Ahead of the trial, another two gang members Jarome Fonua and Vetekina Naufahu also pleaded guilty. This website may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. READ MORE: * Comancheros gang president Pasilika Naufahu jailed for 10 years * Comancheros: Man who bought car for gang vice-president gets community detention * Comancheros: Gang president found guilty of money laundering and drugs charges. I've banked those cheques about a 100,000 in Kiwi's one. Neither man was charged with drug offences. 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. Tyson Daniels is the vice president of the Comanchero MC in New Zealand. Insane Throttle Support Club Become a member Now, Insane Throttle/Motorcycle Madhouse Radio YouTube and Audio Disclaimer, Meet the Insane Throttle Contributing Columnist James Hollywood Macecari, Motorcycle Clubs Riding Clubs and Associations Near Me Index & Listings, Our Policies here at Insane Throttle Publications. 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 The Crown produced other bugged phone calls and photographic evidence of multiple people depositing small sums of money at various banks accounts. Officers then observed the ute park up in Howick next to a white Range Rover. Nearly $1.3 million in cash was deposited into the lawyer's trust account, which was then used to purchase expensive cars and property. Despite this, Simpson was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. His wife and a number of supporters were present in court for Naufahu's sentencing on Friday. 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. Their shared trial had started with five defendants but that number dropped by two when several charges were withdrawn midway. Justice Lang accepted the offending was bought about to ensure his family did not suffer the same financial hardship he had growing up. Tyson Daniels was "You were the president of the Comancheros" and as such were in a position of influence, Justice Lang said to Naufahu. "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.". Justice Graham Lang sentenced him today in the High Court at Auckland. 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. The trial continues tomorrow. Later that day, the man yells at Sha that he is wasting time and is going to blow the deal. When you work carefully through the glimpse of reality behind the secrets and pretending, the picture is perfectly clear, Johnstone said. The true source of the money was a secret and the group had to use a range of tactics to pretend the source was legitimate, the Crown said. "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. We growing stronger and stronger.". Comancheros New Zealand chapter president Pasilika Naufahu photographed during his sentencing in Auckland High Court last year on drug and money laundering charges. "Given he is currently at high risk of re-offending and without any further rehabilitative programmes it is difficult to see the way out of prison for him before his sentence end date.". 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. 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 Photo: Supplied 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. Despite this, Simpson was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. A court has heard a Comanchero-associate drove through Auckland with a million dollars in cash to buy a methamphetamine prescursor, before the deal fell over. A shipment of 613 kilograms of methamphetamine - with what police say is a retail value of more than $245 million - was stopped at Auckland Airport last Thursday. The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to nine charges of money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group, in relation to purchasing a fleet of luxury vehicles worth $2.6 million, including late-model Range Rovers, a Bentley and a Rolls-Royce. #gridsparta #comancheroFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GridSpartaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/gridspartaWe'd love you to submit your videos for pub. "Mr Daniels spoke about his high-risk situations, how he will stay away from old associates and a pro-social future he plans," the Parole Board wrote in its July decision. Later, another recording includes the Comancheros president talking to a bank operator over the phone to apply for a credit card. 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. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Naufahu was arrested as a part of a covert police investigation called Operation Nova that targeted the Comanchero Motorcycle Club. Justice Sally Fitzgerald convicted Naufahu of the three offences and scheduled a sentencing date of October 23, 2020, alongside his fellow Comanchero Jarome Fonua. The Court of Appeal concluded those statements were admissible to prove Naufahu was participating in the conspiracy. Neither man was charged with drug offences. Two days before Christmas, December 23, 2018, Rahman left New Zealand but not before receiving a backpack full of cash. Clausen is charged with conspiring to supply class B drug pseudoephedrine. 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. Of the dozens of intercepted calls using nicknames and codes played during the trial, none have involved the local Comancheros president until now. Photo / Supplied In sentencing Daniels - who was wearing a black and gold Versace top - to four years and eight months. 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. The gang boss was also found guilty, along with Connor Clausen, of conspiring to supply pseudoephedrine. Senior Comancheros Tyson Daniels, left, and Jarome Fonua have pleaded guilty to money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group. "Ok, I delete," came the reply. 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. 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. "It would take considerable willpower on your part to break away from those contacts.". "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. Jul 2019. 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. "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.". Comancheros vice-president Tyson Daniels has already been sentenced to four years and eight months' imprisonment. For Daniels alone, there were four Range Rovers - with price tags of $175,000, $255,000, $218,000 and $280,000 - a $200,000 Mercedes-Benz, a Lamborghini for $285,000, and two Rolls-Royces, which cost $364,000 and $595,000. "Dad, don't send me message [sic] like that. All rights reserved. The call was made in Mexico and the caller was identified as Rahman; a Fijian-Indian who lived in Suva, who had dual Canadian citizenship and travelled regularly to Mexico and the United States. Pasilika Naufahu and fellow Comancheros, wives, partners and families commenced a lifestyle both living and working together and benefited from a series of offences, Johnstone said. Est. Photo: Supplied, Senior Comancheros Tyson Daniels, left, and Jarome Fonua have pleaded guilty to money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group. He had strong support from his wife and sister and had also completed Saili Matagi, a rehabilitation programme tailored for inmates of Pasifika heritage. There was nearly 5kg of methamphetamine inside. Later that afternoon, the man is heard telling Sha to tell the guy thats coming with the pseudo to drop it in the boot. There were four Range Rovers - with price tags of $175,000, $255,000, $218,000 and $280,000 - a $200,000 Mercedes-Benz, a Lamborghini for $285,000, and two Rolls-Royces which cost $364,000 and $595,000. 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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). Bullied at school, Naufahu found the way to deal with this was violence, which won the approval of his father, he said. 1 Dec, 2021 01:00 AM . The Comanchero members and associates were arrested in April 2019 after a massive police search. When brought in for questioning by police, Rahman claimed to be in New Zealand on holiday. Clausen had his appeal dismissed earlier this year. A number of trusts were set up and various bank accounts were used to launder money to then purchase luxury cars and property. You set up the trusts and lent respectability, as a lawyer, to a criminal organisation.. Comancheros boss Pasilika Naufahu has been sentenced to ten years in prison after last year being found guilty of money laundering and conspiring to supply drugs. Others jailed by Operation NovaComancheros vice-president Tyson Daniels has already been sentenced to four years and eight months' imprisonment. Over the course of three years, more than a million dollars was deposited and withdrawn. 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. 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. 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. Copyright Star Media Network 2019. 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Comanchero Motorcycle Gang members have been arrested in Auckland. 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 suppression, and a woman also with name suppression is in its third week at the High Court at Auckland. You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Simpson was reckless and brought the legal profession into disrepute, however, the judge was satisfied he was genuine in his remorse. "We still had many more memories to make, we still had so much more to do. 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. Of three years, more than $ 4 million worth of assets were seized growing up, or! 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