Tribal Gang Raid: Police Issue Hundreds of Fines and Seize Vehicles After Funeral Procession

More than 200 tickets have been issued and three vehicles, most likely to follow them, have been impounded by police after a gang funeral procession sparked alarm and dozens of complaints this month.

Hundreds of members of the Tribesmen band in cars, utes and motorcycles, participated in the procession in Auckland on 7 November. Video footage filmed at a North Shore intersection showed people hanging from windows and burning smoke.

The procession was in honor of Tribesmen gang member Merc Papa-Hugh Lei-Tama Maumasi-Rihari, who died while riding with other gang members on SH1 in Canterbury the previous weekend.

The 21-year-old died after his motorcycle and a car collided.

Police monitored the procession, filming and using the Eagle helicopter, that day.

This afternoon, they announced the actions taken against some of those involved since then.

“Waitemata East Police have been conducting follow-up investigations in response to community complaints regarding unsafe driving behavior on the North Shore [on November 7]”Said Waitemata East Acting Area Commander, Inspector Simon Walker.

“The reports were related to a very large gang funeral procession that involved more than 100 motorcycles and 150 vehicles.”

Police received more than 40 complaints from the public regarding dangerous driving activities, including vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road, blocked intersections, passengers sitting outside vehicle windows, dangerous overtaking, motorcyclists not wearing helmets. and sustained loss of traction. close to pedestrians, Walker said.

“For the past several weeks, Waitemata Police have been investigating these complaints and reviewing images of this activity.

“As a result, more than 200 violation notices have been issued to drivers involved in this gang procession.”

More than a dozen vehicles had also been identified as involved in serious driving offenses, he said.

“To date, the police have seized two motorcycles and one car and our investigations continue to locate and seize others.”

Police were also trying to identify drivers who could be prosecuted.

Police wanted to acknowledge the concern of the North Shore community, Walker said.

“The safety of our community is our number one priority. While we appreciate that the family and friends of the young man who passed away were grieving, the driving behaviors that were exhibited posed a very real risk to those involved, as well as other users. off the road, and it will not be tolerated. “

Those participating in the funeral procession rides should consider others, he said.

“If you choose to put other drivers at risk through dangerous driving activities, such as sustained loss of traction, you can expect follow-up action from the police and your vehicle may be impounded.”