King Cobra gang members arrested after posing outside High Court with patches

Friday, 20 December 2024

The picture was allegedly posted the same day the patch ban came into play.

On November 21 the Gangs Act came into play prohibiting the display of gang patches in public.

Six men have now been charged with displaying gang patches outside the High Court at Auckland after a picture was posted on social media.

Police seized drugs, firearms and patches after search warrants were executed on Friday.

A number of King Cobra gang members who posed outside the High Court at Auckland the same day the patch ban came into play will now face court.

Police said a photo was posted on social media on November 21 showing members outside the High Court. This was in breach of the Gangs Act 2024.

Six men, aged between 28 and 58, have now been charged with the prohibited display of a gang patch. Their patches have been seized by police.

Search warrants executed in Auckland and Waikato also saw drugs, believed to be methamphetamine, firearms and other items seized.

Arrests have already been made as the Government's gang patch ban rolls out. Jenna Lynch reports.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said at one Auckland address two firearms and ammunition was discovered.

'Another man was at this property, who was allegedly in possession of a quantity of substance believed to be methamphetamine,” Detective Inspector Baldwin said.

“We will also allege this man was present in the photo posted in social media and he has had his patch seized.”

Four men – aged 28, 34, 38 and 58 – have been bailed to appear on their charges at the Auckland District Court on Christmas Eve.

Inquiries are ongoing to locate another Auckland man.

“We have a designated team of highly motivated investigators and further arrests are anticipated,” Detective Inspector Baldwin said.

“The public display of gang patches or insignia is now illegal under new legislation, and we continue to remind gang members around consequences of choosing to breach these rules.

“This is an example of Police continuing to follow up breaches, which has resulted in further and more serious charges, upon the discovery and seizure of firearms and illicit drugs.”