Police make further arrests in operation targeting Comanchero gang

Police have arrested three further people following a major operation targeting the Comanchero gang and its associates.

Last Thursday, March 11, search warrants were carried out at ten properties across the Auckland region as part of the second termination phase of Operation Nova.

Six people were arrested and about $4 million worth of assets were seized as a result.

Two residential properties, several high end vehicles, including a number of Range Rovers, Harley Davidson motorcycles and a Rolls Royce, along with a total of $100,000 in cash and two firearms were also seized.

On Friday, a 40-year-old New Zealand national was arrested in Sydney with the help of Australian Federal Police.

He faces a number of drug and money laundering related charges.

New Zealand Police will be seeking extradition of this individual.

This morning, two further search warrants were carried out in Auckland as part of the operation.

A 37-year-old woman was arrested and charged with importing methamphetamine and money laundering.

A 48-year-old man has also been arrested and charged with importing methamphetamine.

Both are due to appear in the Auckland District Court.

Operation Nova has targeted senior members of the Comanchero gang, as well as a number of professionals believed to be linked to the alleged offending.

National Organised Crime Group’s Detective Inspector Paul Newman says Police are committed to protecting our communities from the social harm that drug addiction and gangs cause.

“This is an operation targeting a range of criminal offending and our enquiries are continuing.

We cannot rule out further arrests or charges.”

As the matter is now before the courts, Police are not in a position to comment further.

ENDS

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