This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald. (First published in April 2019). Then in February 2019, two separate consignments from the United States a waffle maker and coffee brewer- were stopped at the border by Customs, each containing 2.9kg of methamphetamine. File photo. He was convicted of the murder of Hells Angels MC Anthony Zervas. Connor Clausen had his conviction appeal dismissed. You set up the trusts and lent respectability, as a lawyer, to a criminal organisation.. "Dad I wrote this for you, with a heavy heart, holding your reading glasses, listening to roadhouse blues. 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. 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. Video / NZ Herald. Est. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. The 501 scheme is the the character section of the Australian Migration Act that allows the cancellation of visas. Most updated Motorcycle community news from all the World, Motorcycle Clubs news, 1%er news. Justice Graham Lang sentenced him today in the High Court at Auckland. The police investigation was into the supply of controlled drugs from the New Zealand chapter of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club. 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. I've told you so many times, don't send me messages," the text read. Daniels politely declined to comment to the Herald on Sunday. "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.". Pasilika Naufahu is on trial for drug, money laundering and organised crime charges. Vetekina and Fonua now join Tyson Daniels, the clubs vice-president, and Auckland lawyer Andrew Simpson in being convicted of laundering criminal profits. "All done and sworn in welcome aboard to my brothers in New Zealand," an Australian member of the Comancheros posted on Instagram. Intercepted communications from September 20, 2018, from an audio device fitted in a vehicle were played to the jury on Thursday. His wife and a number of supporters were present in court for Naufahu's sentencing on Friday. He had difficulty obtaining a bank account, accommodation and employment, he said. 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. We growing stronger and stronger.". 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. 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 #1 Biker News Website Since 2011-Covering up to minute biker news including Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs & Biker News Worldwide. "I can't wait to see you again dad. 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. Nearly $1.3 million in cash was deposited into the lawyers trust account, which was then used to purchase expensive cars and property. 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Hakaraia offered cover as a professional service provider and businessman by reviewing the accounts of the concrete business, Johnstone said. Red Cross Cyclone Gabrielle fund: Where will donations go? "No it doesn't matter if you delete all my messages already [go] all to the puakas. 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. The Parole Board rulings released to the Herald on Sunday showed that Daniels had a strong work ethic and was considered to be "compliant and respectful" by Corrections staff. 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. 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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. Neither man was charged with drug offences. The vice-president of the Comancheros says he is a "changed man" and plans to distance himself from his criminal associates now he has been released from prison, according to the Parole Board. Young said the board was convinced Naufahu remained an undue risk and could not be released. 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. But he had endeavoured to provide his wife and four children with the life he never had, he said. Comancheros vice-president Tyson Daniels has already been sentenced to four years and eight months' imprisonment. Im going to land it between you and me [Ill give you] all the f***en work you can handle. 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. As part of his release plan, Daniels will attend a rehabilitation programme and one-on-one private counselling with a psychologist. 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. 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. Around the same time, a consignment of a kitchen stovetops shipped from the United States had been seized by Customs and examined. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook But the Court of Appeal has reduced that sentence to nine years. 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. However, the Court substituted the gang boss 10 year imprisonment to one of nine years. After stopping at a cafe, the pair get back into the vehicle and the man can be heard telling Sha about how the area is one of the most policed areas in the country all gang squad. Vetekina Naufahu admitted the purchase of his late-model Range Rover worth $150,000 was money laundering. Daniels was sentenced to four years and eight months after he pleaded guilty to participating in an organised criminal group and nine counts of money laundering. Sha arrived in New Zealand from Sydney on September 15, 2018; three days later, the other associate arrived in the country. The president of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club has had a year knocked off his jail term. The Crown produced other bugged phone calls and photographic evidence of multiple people depositing small sums of money at various banks accounts. Dan Satherley Five gang members have been charged following what police are calling a "serious assault" in west Auckland. 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. There cant be any sensible reason that these payments were loans, Johnstone said. Comancheros New Zealand chapter president Pasilika Naufahu photographed during his sentencing in Auckland High Court last year on drug and money laundering charges. 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. Comancheros gang president Pasilika Naufahu has sentence reduced Catrin Owen 12:24, Oct 05 2021 RICKY WILSON/STUFF Pasilika Naufahu was jailed for his part in a drug and money laundering. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. 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. 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. 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. Comanchero Motorcycle Club president Pasilika Naufahu has been denied parole for a second time in four months. 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. 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. Go to the back of the car and put it in the boot, the man says. 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. 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. The gang boss was also found guilty, along with Connor Clausen, of conspiring to supply pseudoephedrine. 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. Not surprisingly he had sought out the company of others in the same situation, he said. Pasilika Naufahu was sentenced by Justice Graham Lang on Friday. His lawyer, Marie Dyhrberg, QC, asked the Parole Board to consider "belief in redemption" as all the available evidence showed Daniels was a changed man. This is the biggest gang in New Zealand, if they put word on the street about you, no-one comes near you.. 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. "Another Comanchero chapter opened up. The Court of Appeal concluded those statements were admissible to prove Naufahu was participating in the conspiracy. 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: Jason Oxenham / NZH, This gold-plated motorcycle was among the assets seized in Operation Nova. 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. The Court of Appeal was satisfied the connection between the erosion of Naufahus Tongan cultural values and his offending. Naufahu was arrested as a part of a covert police investigation called Operation Nova that targeted the Comanchero Motorcycle Club. Twitch is the world's leading video platform and community for gamers. Copyright Star Media Network 2019. We do not accept Mr Naufahu played anything other than a major and significant role in the conspiracy to supply pseudoephedrine.. Justice Lang accepted the offending was bought about to ensure his family did not suffer the same financial hardship he had growing up. The Comanchero Motorcycle Club president told the board he had done everything he possibly could in prison to show he was a responsible citizen. 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. Simpson was reckless and brought the legal profession into disrepute, however, the judge was satisfied he was genuine in his remorse. 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. Simpson was reckless and brought the legal profession into disrepute, however, the judge was satisfied he was genuine in his remorse. 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. "You were the president of the Comancheros" and as such were in a position of influence, Justice Lang said to Naufahu. There is lack of support for those who are returned to New Zealand by Australia under these provisions.. Photo / Jason Oxenham 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"). 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, NZ Comanchero trial: This is the biggest gang in New Zealand, alleged drug dealer says, Sixth man charged over Shane de Britt murder, Toby Mitchell is a new Melbourne president of Mongols amid aggressive expansion, DMCA Notice of Alleged Infringement and delivering it to our Designated Copyright Agent. The High Court judge detailed how Naufahu's family had moved to Australia when he was only one, and they struggled under financial hardship. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook. 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. 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. He was also found guilty, alongside patched Comanchero Connor Clausen, of conspiring to supply the Class B drug pseudoephedrine in September 2018. The defence has yet to have its arguments heard. Comanchero club secretary Jarome Fonua was jailed for four and half years. "I deeply regret a father being separated from his family. Of the dozens of intercepted calls using nicknames and codes played during the trial, none have involved the local Comancheros president until now. Johnstone said Naufahu was the source of $1 million that was meant to be used to purchase pseudoephedrine, but the suppliers withdrew from the exchange. Photo: Supplied 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. 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. Tyson Daniels was Red Cross Cyclone Gabrielle fund: Where will donations go? Seiana Fakaosilea, the gang's sergeant-at-arms, was not arrested in Operation Nova. We respect every Motorcycle Club that adheres to proper MC protocol. Justice van Bohemen said Simpson was the facilitator of the money-laundering scheme, who used his specialist skills and knowledge as a lawyer. Payments were also made by Hakaraia to Comanchero vice president Tyson Daniels to buy another new Range Rover. 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. Photo: Supplied, Tyson Daniels, in the gold Versace top, and Auckland lawyer Andrew Simpson at their sentencing hearing in February 2020. You know the puakas get all my messages," the text read. Pasilika Naufahu is on trial for drug, money laundering and organised crime charges. 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. 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. On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal denied Naufahus appeal over the charge of conspiring to supply pseudoephedrine. The Comanchero members and associates were arrested in April 2019 after a massive police search. You clearly knew the money was derived from significant importation of drugs.. Jul 2019. You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. By Leighton Keith, Open Justice reporter of, Comanchero Motorcycle Club president Pasilika Naufahu has been denied parole for a second time in four months. Pasilika Naufahu at his sentencing today in the High Court at Auckland. 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 . 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). The word puakas was translated by police as 'pigs'. Daniels, the vice-president, was later convicted along with president Pasilika Naufahu and his brother Vetekina, as well as the club's treasurer, Jarome Fonua. "You made it work. 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 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. There was nearly 5kg of methamphetamine inside. Despite this, Simpson was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. This website may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Senior Comancheros Tyson Daniels, left, and Jarome Fonua have pleaded guilty to money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group. They dont want to arrive if the pseudo is not here, the man replies.