Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, February 26, 2024
Six distinctive motorcycles that were once prized possessions of the Comanchero Motorcycle gang have been destroyed by a court order which also makes it the first time Police have sought such an order under legislation.
The bikes were seized in April 2019 as part of a major organised crime operation, Operation Nova, that saw 18 people charged with a variety of serious offences. Excluding motorcycles, $2.6 million in assets were restrained from the gang in the operation.
A recent court order finally gave Police the green light to crush the gold-plated Harley Davidson motorcycles, along with numerous personalised plates, and sell the remains as scrap metal.
Numerous assets seized
Commissioner Andrew Coster said that the application by the Police was under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act in early 2023 and is the first of its kind action, to send a clear message.
Across multiple phases in the investigation, the Police honed its efforts into targeting senior leadership figures of the gang and its illegal activities.
“At the time Police made numerous arrests, and restrained around $4 million in assets from the gang, which included the six distinctive Harley Davidson motorcycles,” Commissioner Coster said.
“It is part of an ongoing focus by Police on disrupting the illegal activities of organised criminal groups, along with targeting assets they have obtained through their offending.”
Late last year, the Court approved Police’s application to destroy six Harley Davidson motorbikes and seven personalised licence plates.
A different approach needed
In most of the other investigations, the Financial Crime Group has so far successfully submitted to a court for the forfeiture of assets with the proceeds going to the consolidated crime fund.
However, in the case of Operation Nova, the distinctive Harley Davidsons and personalised plates meant a different approach has been taken, Commissioner Coster said.
It is the first time the New Zealand Police has applied to take this sort of action with restrained assets. “It is our view that the design of the motorcycles, and the personalised plates, are very distinctive and are exclusively linked to the Comancheros,” Commissioner Coster said.
“It is highly likely both the bikes and licence plates would end up back in the hands of the Comancheros. It would defeat the purpose of the action Police have taken in this investigation.”
Around $2.6 million of assets, excluding the motorcycles, were restrained as a result of action taken in Operation Nova.
This month, a former secretary of the Comancheros who was convicted as part of Operation Nova was also successfully deported back to Australia.
“It will be of some reassurance to Police and the public that this decision means these bikes, purchased with the proceeds of crime, will not end up back in the wrong hands.”
All six bikes and the plates were destroyed on Friday and proceeds from any scrap metal sales will go toward the consolidated fund as standard practice.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
