‘Merely business’: Gang treasurer jailed for eight years over life-ruining drug enterprise

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

The South Island treasurer of a “highly illicit money-making operation” that distributed drugs across New Zealand chose his gang over his daughters, a court has heard.

Justice Jonathan Eaton told Lucane Michael Bolstad his remorse sounded “hollow” while his loyalty remained with the Comancheros Motorcycle gang rather than his family, who were present at the High Court at Christchurch on Tuesday.

The patched member was imprisoned for eight years and eight months for his part in a lucrative enterprise that moved 20kg methamphetamine and 10kg of cocaine, and the cash proceeds from this, around Aotearoa.

Police cracked the network in August 2024, arresting the entire Christchurch Comancheros chapter and seizing millions of dollars of cash, drugs and jewellery, following an eight-month investigation into the network, labelled Operation Avon.

The court heard Bolstad supplied methamphetamine and cocaine to his personal network in Timaru, and later became the “trusted” South Island Comancheros treasurer – one of just five office holders.

Specifically, it was proven he distributed around 3.5kg of Class A drugs, supplied a person with a pump-action shotgun, conspired to deal Class A drugs, and participated in the organised criminal group.

Crown prosecutor Abbie Hollingworth emphasised Bolstad’s key role in the “cyclic business model”, and noted he was the “most senior of his co-defendants to be sentenced” so far, following two underlings in December.

“Mr Bolstad … is not simply a courier and not working directly under instructions at all times. He was a rather important link in the chain, perhaps because he had his own network in Timaru.”

However, defence lawyer Olivia Jarvis said her client sold drugs to just one supplier in Timaru, and while he later became the treasurer, large quantities of cash he collected were promptly processed and taken away by others.

She said Bolstad’s offending was linked to his drug addiction, and he could be awarded sentence discounts for his guilty plea, rehabilitation and the impact of his incarceration on his three daughters.

Justice Eaton did not agree addiction was a key motivation for Bolstad, pointing out the Comancheros’ “rather ironic rule” its members cannot use methamphetamine yet widely deal the substance.

Bolstad, formerly a Rebels gang member, swapped methamphetamine for cocaine when he joined the Comancheros.

“It’s not so much he’s placing his addiction above his children, he’s committing his loyalty to his gang, not his family. That’s why he’s here,” Justice Eaton said.

The judge pointed out Bolstad previously said he remained a “loyal servant” to the gang, despite its impact on his daughters. He expressed no remorse to a pre-sentence report writer, describing his offending as “merely business”.

But prior to sentencing, Bolstad wrote a letter indicating a change of tune, saying he was remorseful and felt for his victims. Justice Eaton said it sounded “hollow”.

“It’s so frustrating as a judge … but I guarantee over the next couple of months we’re going to have the same submissions over and over,” he said, with Operation Avon defendants likely only expressing remorse in “more private settings like this”.

Justice Eaton acknowledged Bolstad’s upbringing was marked with psychological and physical abuse until he was old enough to defend himself, early drug and alcohol use, and a traumatic brain injury suffered when he was hit by a truck when he was 16.

Bolstad retained a close relationship with his three daughters and supportive former partner, Justice Eaton said. “She and the kids are tired of you getting in trouble and missing important milestones in their lives. You tell me you recognise you need to step up.”

The judge imprisoned Bolstad for eight years and eight months’ on two supplying Class A drug charges. Lesser sentences on a conspiracy to supply, organised crime, and firearm-related charge were to be served at the same time.

He accepted Bolstad played an “important role in a highly illicit money-making operation”.

“The distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine leads to countless victims in the community, persons who develop a dependency on those substances. That’s something you personally have experienced.

“There is no question, and judges get sick and tired of saying it, the whole of society is harmed by the distribution of methamphetamine.”

In December, the youngest members of the enterprise, Dementry Higgins and Kadyn Kelvin Wikaira, were sentenced to prison and home detention respectively. At the time, Justice Cameron Mander said the drugs the group dealt “ruin people’s lives”.

Many related defendants remain before the courts.