Massive Crackdown on Comancheros in New Zealand: Nearly All Members Facing Charges

In a landmark development from late 2024 into early 2025, New Zealand Police have effectively dismantled the operations of the Comanchero Motorcycle Gang (MCG) through a series of coordinated investigations, resulting in nearly every patched member and associate facing criminal charges. This multi-year effort, described by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster as “the single biggest blow to the Comancheros’ operations since Operation Nova” in 2019, has led to 137 charges laid against gang members nationwide. The arrests and seizures have severely disrupted the gang’s alleged activities in drug trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime, with every member of the leadership group now in custody or charged.

Background on the Comancheros in New Zealand

The Comancheros, an Australian-origin outlaw motorcycle gang founded in 1966 in Sydney, established a foothold in New Zealand around 2016–2017, largely through the deportation of Australian members under the “501” policy (non-citizens with criminal records). Led by figures like Pasilika Naufahu (deported sergeant-at-arms turned NZ president), the gang quickly grew to an estimated 50–60 members across chapters in Auckland, Christchurch, and other areas. Known for their aggressive expansion, the Comancheros have been linked to methamphetamine importation, violent turf wars, and high-profile incidents, including the 2020 trial of members for drug supply and the 2019 Operation Nova raids that seized $3.7 million in assets. Police classify them as a transnational organized crime group, with ties to international cartels for cocaine and meth smuggling.

The Investigations: A Three-Year Multi-Phase Operation

The crackdown stemmed from four interconnected operations (Avon, Scuba, Embargo, and Bridle) spanning 2021–2024, involving hundreds of warrants, surveillance, and international cooperation. These targeted the gang’s “Commission” scheme—a directive allegedly issued in 2021 requiring members to pay kickbacks (e.g., $5,000 per kg of meth sold) to fund gang activities, including purchasing headquarters, businesses, firearms, and even military-style training imported from overseas trainers.

Operation	Timeline	Key Targets	Arrests/Charge	Seizures
Scuba	2021–2023	Money laundering and drug supply networks in Auckland/South Auckland.	14 members/associates charged with drug importation and laundering.	$5.8M in assets restrained (properties, $1M cash, Range Rover, Harley-Davidsons); 41 patches; 250+ devices.
Avon	Late 2024	Cash/drug runs between Auckland and Christchurch; entire Christchurch chapter.	22 charged (including all 18 patched Christchurch members, aged 18–55).	6.5 kg methamphetamine; 4 firearms; 9 patches; $222K cash; $1.9M assets restrained (Auckland properties, vehicles).
Embargo	Mid-2024	“Commission” directive enforcement; nationwide properties/vehicles.	Additional 14 arrests; cumulative 137 charges.	2.6 kg cannabis; 760g cocaine; 172 ammo rounds; 4 firearms (incl. 2 sawn-off shotguns); 32 patches; 83 phones; 39 devices.
Bridle	Early 2025	Cocaine importation via Port of Tauranga; senior leadership.	4 charged, including a 36-year-old senior leader (last uncharged leadership member).	Linked to earlier 2024 cocaine busts; ongoing transnational probes.

Total Impact: Over 100 arrests, with 62 search warrants in one phase alone. The operations exposed a sophisticated network allegedly generating millions through meth/cocaine sales (e.g., 200+ kg meth intercepted in related probes like Operation Weirton 2022). Assets restrained exceed $9M, including luxury vehicles, properties, and cash.

Leadership Takedown: By April 2025, the final senior leader—a 36-year-old from Howick—was arrested on cocaine importation charges, completing the sweep of the entire hierarchy.

Key Arrests and Charges

Christchurch Chapter Wipeout (August 2024): All 18 patched members arrested in Operation Avon, charged with supplying Class A drugs, money laundering, and gang participation. The chapter’s Woolston headquarters insignia was removed post-raid.

Nationwide Sweeps: Charges include drug importation/supply (meth, cocaine, cannabis), firearms possession, money laundering, and participating in an organized criminal group under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009.

High-Profile Figures: Pasilika Naufahu (president) faced prior charges; recent arrests targeted enforcers like those in the “Filthy Few” elite unit. A disgraced accountant was implicated in laundering via NZ/international banks.

Broader Implications and Police Response

Detective Superintendent Paul Basham noted the operations’ “considerable impact” on the gang’s operations, crediting relentless multi-agency work (NZ Police, Customs, Organized Crime Group). Commissioner Coster emphasized: “From the moment the gang established a presence… there has been a multi-agency effort to continuously target, disrupt and enforce.” While the drug supply chain may see short-term disruption, experts like researcher Jarrod Gilbert warn of resilient black-market adaptations.This follows New Zealand’s 2024 anti-gang laws banning patches in public and enhancing search powers. Internationally, similar crackdowns continue (e.g., Tonga aiming to dissolve the chapter; arrests in Turkey). As of December 2025, court proceedings are ongoing in Auckland and Christchurch District Courts, with potential sentences up to 14 years for importation offenses.For updates, monitor NZ Police releases or RNZ/NZ Herald coverage. If you’d like details on specific arrests or related gangs (e.g., Mongrel Mob), let me know!