Identical twins move $260k cash in a shoe box for gang’s drug enterprise
Friday, 12 June 2026
Roofers by day, cash couriers for a multimillion-dollar drug trafficking enterprise by night.
Identical twins Falaniko and Nalesoni Taulongo, 24, were jailed for more than half a decade each at the High Court at Christchurch on Thursday for their illicit side hustle.
The court heard feelings of “peer pressure” and “helping out a mate” swept the pair into a national drug-pumping network that handled at least 30kg of methamphetamine and cocaine, headed by the Comanchero Motorcycle Club.
Police cracked the enterprise in August 2024, arresting the gang’s entire Christchurch chapter and seizing millions of dollars of cash, drugs and jewellery after an eight-month investigation.
So far, the youngest underlings, the gang treasurer, a barber-turned-drug runner and a drug transporter are among those to be sentenced.
The gang’s South Island commander, who holidayed in Bali, admitted his involvement earlier this year.
The Taulongos lived at the Auckland end of the network, where drugs were sourced and sent to Christchurch for further distribution. Once sold, cash proceeds were bundled up and returned to Auckland.
The brothers were not part of the Comanchero gang and primarily acted at the direction of a single man. However – either together or individually – they couriered hundreds of thousands of dollars for the network, at the age of 22.
Police could prove both or one of the Taulongos moved cash for the gang on dates in July and August 2024, on the latter trip also handing over 5kg of class A drugs.
Typically, they would drive to an Auckland address where a drug-runner from Christchurch had visited, collect the proceeds, and drive elsewhere.
On August 8, one of the twins transported a Nike shoe box containing $260,000 to other network members at a Chinese cuisine shop.
The total sum was unknown.
Nalesoni separately accepted that he arrived to collect cash proceeds from a drug runner on July 27.
Police searched the Taulongos’ house on August 28 while both where home. Officers found several military-style semi-automatic rifle magazines, including one prohibited magazine that could hold more than 10 rounds.
During the search, Falaniko was caught passing a toolbox out of a bedroom window to his girlfriend so she could hide it under the house. It contained almost 2kg of methamphetamine.
Falaniko’s involvement was limited to 3kg of class A drugs, while Nalesoni was linked to 4kg.
The twins’ defence lawyer, Annabel Ives, said her clients were not as trusted as others in the operation. She said they became involved through “naivety” and were likely “helping out a mate” before things developed.
“[They] certainly were willing to [lend] a hand without realising the consequences or getting any commensurate financial reward, which is indicative of youth and not really thinking things through.”
Ives said the Taulongos had continued working as roofers throughout the offending period. She urged the court to consider the pair’s personal and family circumstances, including Nalesoni’s young child, and Falaniko’s partner’s pregnancy.
Justice Cameron Mander said “negative peer pressure”, “poor choices” and a desire to make money led to the pair’s serious offending. They had not demonstrated much insight into the consequences of their crimes, nor that class A drugs “ruined lives”.
“Methamphetamine, in particular, is a pernicious drug and those who peddle it effectively trade on the misery of others.”
The judge imprisoned Falaniko for five years and one month, and Nalesoni for five years and four months.
Both were convicted of participating in an organised criminal group, twice possessing class A drugs for supply, and possession of a prohibited gun magazine. Nalesoni was further convicted of supplying a class A drug.