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. The president of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club has been jailed after being found guilty of sophisticated money laundering and drugs charges. The sentencing of Comanchero vice- president Tyson Daniels and lawyer Andrew Simpson; inset, Jarome Fonua; below, two of the vehicles seized. Poverty requires same urgency as Covid-19 - Wellington City Mission, Comancheros boss goes on trial on drug, money laundering charges, Comancheros gang boss goes on trial on drug and money laundering charges, Comancheros trial: $1m drug deal fell through moments from completion, court told, Police listened to gang's calls for months before raid, court told, Comancheros trial: Police listened to gang's calls for months before raid, court told, '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. 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. He had admitted participating in an organised criminal group and nine money laundering charges which came from purchasing a swag of expensive vehicles. The president of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club president Pasilika Naufahu came to New Zealand in 2016 and went about setting up the gang for monetary gain while those around him enjoyed the benefits, the Crown say. Comancheros vice-president Tyson Daniels has already been sentenced to four years and eight months' imprisonment. He was convicted of the murder of Hells Angels MC Anthony Zervas. Reminder, this is a Premium article and requires a subscription to read. This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald. Mr Naufahus resurrection of his gang affiliations and his resort to offending in Auckland was virtually guaranteed when he was deported to New Zealand.. Lawyer Andrew Simpson and the gangs vice-president Tyson Daniels were also among those arrested. However, that is a consequence of your decisions.". Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook. 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". more information Accept. 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. Vetekina Naufahu admitted to money laundering and possessing ecstasy, and is the latest Comanchero member to be sentenced after massive police raids in 2019. A lawyer was used to set up trusts for Naufahu and other group members. There was nearly 5kg of methamphetamine inside. At trial, the Crown said Naufahu was the source of $1m which was meant to be used to purchase pseudoephedrine, but the suppliers withdrew. 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. 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. 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. Nearly $1.3 million in cash was deposited into the lawyers trust account, which was then used to purchase expensive cars and property. 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. Intercepted communications from September 20, 2018, from an audio device fitted in a vehicle were played to the jury on Thursday. Comanchero Motorcycle Club president Pasilika Naufahu has been denied parole for a second time in four months. 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.". The president of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club president Pasilika Naufahu came to New Zealand in 2016 and went about setting up the gang for monetary gain while those around him enjoyed the benefits, the Crown say. I thought you'd be happy to hear that.". By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. 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. It had been a previously been a strained relationship, the court heard. But the Court of Appeal has reduced that sentence to nine years. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. 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. "All done and sworn in welcome aboard to my brothers in New Zealand," an Australian member of the Comancheros posted on Instagram. Available from December 2. 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. 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. 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. However, that is a consequence of your decisions.. 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. In August,club treasurer Jarome FonuaandVetekinaadmitted their parts in the operation. He was also found guilty, alongside patched Comanchero Connor Clausen, of conspiring to supply the Class B drug pseudoephedrine in September 2018. 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. "Welcome to A-grade. 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. It demonstrated the drug dealing was conducted from a distance by others on his behalf, Justice Lang said. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Comanchero gang leader Pasilika Naufahu has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. You made it work. The defence lawyer said upon his clients arrival in New Zealand, he had difficulty opening a bank account, getting accommodation and employment. Pasilika Naufahu is on trial for drug, money laundering and organised crime charges. 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. 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. However, they still ruled the end sentence imposed was excessive and substituted the 10 years to one of nine years imprisonment. I'll just have to wait for my time to come. "Wait until you see me then talk to me. Justice Graham Lang sentenced him today in the High Court at Auckland. Biker News does not belong to or support any Club. 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. All of these defendants contributed to his organised criminal group and helped it succeed until the police intervened in April 2019.. The trial against Naufahu, Connor Michael Tamati Clausen, accountant Wiwini Himi Hakaraia, a media personality who has name suppression, and a woman, also with name suppression, began on Monday at the High Court at Auckland. 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. The haul was worth about $20m. I'm on a big case over here.". Go to the back of the car and put it in the boot, the man says. Sha arrived in New Zealand from Sydney on September 15, 2018; three days later, the other associate arrived in the country. The money laundering charge relates to his late-model Range Rover, worth around $150,000, while the organised crime charge carries the most significant penalty of up to 10 years in prison. 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. The deal never went ahead. The house was purchased with Naufahus 7-year-old son listed as the owner. At trial, Naufahu was found guilty of two charges of money laundering in relation to the purchase of a Bentley and Ford Ranger. Vetekina Naufahu pleaded guilty to three charges at a High Court hearing this morning, held by audio-visual link because of the Covid-19 lockdown in Auckland. He had difficulty obtaining a bank account, accommodation and employment, he said. "You were the president of the Comancheros" and as such were in a position of influence, Justice Lang said to Naufahu. 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. 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. 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. Naufahu, however, believed he had been treated seriously unfairly and he would not be transferred to another prison to complete the programme. (First published in April 2019). "I know you're up there in the forever chapter, sinking them down at the bar, flying that flag with 13 stars. "It's hard to accept the fact, you left us so soon. On Thursday, Detective Sergeant Damian Espinosa provided more details of surveillance of Naufahu in regards to the charges relating to conspiring to supply pseudoephedrine. The Vice President of Comanchero NZ released on parole Content Created by Grid Sparta Earlier this year,lawyer Andrew Simpson and Danielswere jailed for their involvement. That man cannot be identified as he is awaiting trial on a number of drugs charges. Allan Meehan, 35, is the new leader of Australia's most powerful . Most updated Motorcycle community news from all the World, Motorcycle Clubs news, 1%er news. This website may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Justice van Bohemen said Simpson was the facilitator of the money-laundering scheme, who used his specialist skills and knowledge as a lawyer. However, the Court substituted the gang boss 10 year imprisonment to one of nine years. Photos / Michael Craig; Chelsea Boyle; Supplied Edited extract from Gangland: New Zealand's Underworld of Organised Crime, by Jared Savage ( HarperCollins NZ, RRP $ 36.99). 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. Hawi's violent death revived memories of the 2009 bikie wars and the Sydney airport brawl. You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. You set up the trusts and lent respectability, as a lawyer, to a criminal organisation.". Comancheros gang president Pasilika Naufahu jailed for 10 years Catrin Owen 10:42, Feb 19 2021 RICKY WILSON/STUFF Pasilika Naufahu was sentenced by Justice Graham Lang on Friday. 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 . 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. 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. Vetekina and Fonua now join Tyson Daniels, the clubs vice-president, and Auckland lawyer Andrew Simpson in being convicted of laundering criminal profits. 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. Jurors are also sitting in front of plastic screens. The hairdresser, He Sha, was jailed in 2020 after he admitted crossing the Tasman to sell pseudoephedrine in a failed deal. 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. '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. #gridsparta #comancheroFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GridSpartaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/gridspartaWe'd love you to submit your videos for pub. The jury trial at the High Court is the first one to be held under the current enhancedCovid-19 alert level 2.5in Auckland. (First published September 2020). "The idea of him as a supportive father and husband is completely inconsistent with his desire to continue on in the Comancheros gang and the prospect of further offending if released.". Naufahu, who lived. Est. They will be sentenced on October 23. There cant be any sensible reason that these payments were loans, Johnstone said. "You made it work. 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. Clausen has already been sentenced to three years and eight months' imprisonment. 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. Naufahu, who has a statutory release date of July 2028, would be seen again by the board before the end of December 2023. He had admitted participating in an organised criminal group and nine money laundering charges which came from purchasing a swag of expensive vehicles. 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. '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. 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. Later that day, the man yells at Sha that he is wasting time and is going to blow the deal. File photo. More than $4 million worth of assets were seized. Simpson was reckless and brought the legal profession into disrepute, however, the judge was satisfied he was genuine in his remorse. Mansfield said Naufahu has never shied away from admitting to being the president of the New Zealand chapter of the Comanchero gang. Vetekina Naufahu pleaded guilty to three charges at a High Court hearing this morning, held by audio-visual link because of the Covid-19 lockdown in Auckland. 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. No more games there is more than a million dollars coming. The defence has yet to have its arguments heard. Connor Clausen had his conviction appeal dismissed. Five people, including the boss Pasilika Naufahu, are on trial in the High Court at Auckland facing drug, money laundering and organised crime charges. "He is intelligent. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. We are making these materials available in an effort for news reporting or educational purposes. Naufahu moved to Australia when he was 1 year old and was deported when he was 28, Mansfield said. 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. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. At the sentencing on Friday, Crown prosecutor David Johnstone said the defence had tried to unreasonably minimise Naufahus culpability as the leader of the criminal group. 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. 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