Twelve Comanchero gang members arrested in Christchurch, Auckland

Wednesday, 28 August 2024

Twelve members of the Comancheros motorcycle gang have been arrested following significant police raids in both Christchurch and Auckland.

They are together facing at least 26 charges including conspiring to deal methamphetamine, possession of the class A drug, possession of firearms, participating in an organised criminal group and failing to assist police with a search.

Seven Christchurch members of the gang and five Auckland-based members appeared at the Christchurch District Court on Wednesday afternoon via an audio-visual link.

Each of them was remanded in custody without pleas to appear again on September 24. None of them made applications for bail but all signalled the intention to do so at a later date.

The Christchurch-based members of the gang who have been charged are Kelvin Waikaira, 42, Jarrad Singer, 35, Larenz Smith, 24, Petelo Sili, 35, Karl Muir, 41, as well as two other men, aged 18 and 55, who were granted interim name suppression.

The Auckland-based members charged are Lawrence Olliver, 46, Falaniko Taulongo, 23, Nalesoni Taulongo, 23, and two other men, aged 39 and age unknown, who were granted interim name suppression.

The alleged offending involves conspiring with at least three South Island members of the Comancheros to deal methamphetamine for the benefit of the gang, according to court documents.

The offending is alleged to have occurred between March and August this year.

Police declined to comment.