- Every patched member of the Comancheros gang in Christchurch arrested
- Eighteen men arrested aged between 18 and 55
- Police seize cash, guns, drugs, and assets in remarkable crackdown
- Police allege the gang organised for drugs and cash to be relayed between Auckland and Christchurch every few weeks
Every patched member of the Christchurch chapter of the Comancheros has been arrested in a remarkable police operation targeting the gang.
Millions of dollars’ worth of illegal drugs have been seized as police yesterday carried out about 70 warrants as part of the eight-month investigation, dubbed Operation Avon.
In total, 30 warrants were executed on addresses and more than 40 warrants executed on vehicles, with 21 in the Christchurch area, and nine in Auckland.
Approximately 5kg of class A drugs were seized, along with 11 firearms, ammunition, and about $250,000 cash.
Eighteen men aged between 18 and 55 were arrested and have been charged, including every patched Comancheros Christchurch member. Of those arrests, 15 were in Christchurch and six in Auckland.
As “part of enforcement activity”, police have also restrained $1.9 million of assets, consisting of an Auckland property and 11 vehicles.
The Christchurch chapter of the Comancheros became a priority target of the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG), supported by Canterbury Police, as “their brazen alleged offending spread across New Zealand”.
At a press conference in Christchurch this morning, Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson gave background to the operation that started in February.
“We utilised a suite of tactics to identify the offenders,” he said.
“Early on, our investigation identified significant drug offending involving the Class A controlled drugs methamphetamine and cocaine, and extensive money laundering.”
He said the methamphetamine was worth around $20 million - while a further three people were arrested in the last three hours.
“We have no doubt the disruption of the Christchurch-based Comanchero gang would have a positive impact on the Canterbury community,” said Thomson, adding it will make “a very large dent” on the spread of drugs across the country.
Thomson did not know how many patched members were remaining in the country.
It was “a lot of hard work” to arrest an entire chapter in one day, he said, believing that police have prevented $50 million worth of harm.
Thomson said his message to other gangs was that “New Zealand police take this very seriously”.
“At the top echelon, there seems to be no conscience towards keeping our communities away from drugs, it’s all about obtaining assets,” he said.
“They are funding their lifestyles at New Zealander’s expense.”
He said he had spoken to members of the community who are feeling “relief”.
Earlier Thomson said class A drugs “cause untold harm and misery in our communities” and the impact on families is “intolerable”.
“These groups have no hesitation in peddling drugs and accumulating vehicles and property, with no regard for the destruction they cause in everyday New Zealanders’ lives,” he said.
“We have no doubt that this disruption of the Comanchero gang will have a positive impact on the drug supply chain across the country.”
Police allege the gang organised for drugs and cash to be relayed between Auckland and Christchurch every few weeks.
Detective Inspector Thomson said over a million dollars worth of drugs at wholesale value were believed to have been moved between the North and South Island, which police will allege at prosecution equates to more than $15 million street value.
The 18 men have made a first appearance at court in Christchurch and Auckland.
Charges include participating in an organised criminal group, conspiracy to supply methamphetamine, and conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Further charges, including money laundering and drug dealing charges, are being considered ahead of future appearances.
“NZ Police is committed to putting an end to the harm organised criminal groups perpetuate across New Zealand,” says Detective Inspector Thomson.
“Operation Avon is holding those responsible to account following a meticulous investigation and coordinated response.
“Pivotally, arresting every member of the chapter will put an end to their unwanted presence in our Christchurch community.”
The Christchurch chapter of the Comancheros patched over the local Rebels gang last year and took over their old clubhouse.
New Zealand police launched Operation Cobalt in July 2022 to respond to a spike in intimidating behaviour and violence by gangs in the first half of the year.
Since then, the police have seized hundreds of firearms and laid thousands of charges in court, as well as confiscating commercial quantities of drugs and large sums of cash.
