Comanchero trial: ‘Secrets and pretenses’ used to disguise offense, says Crown

Comanchero Motorcycle Club President Pasilika Naufahu arrived in New Zealand in 2016 and set out to ride the gang for monetary gain while those around him enjoyed the benefits, says the Crown.

The trial against Naufahu, Connor Michael Tamati Clausen, accountant Wiwini Himi Hakaraia, a media personality with name suppression, and a woman, also with name suppression, began Monday in Auckland High Court.

All five were arrested following a series of raids in Auckland in April 2019 in which more than $ 3.7 million in assets were seized along with luxury cars, motorcycles, luxury luggage and jewelry.

The police investigation focused on the supply of controlled drugs by the New Zealand chapter of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club.

READ MORE:
* The president of the Comancheros, Pasilika Naufahu, admits some charges before the trial.
* Senior Comanchero Member Admits Drug and Money Laundering Charges
* Lawyer admits money laundering allegedly linked to Club de Motociclistas Comancheros
* Comanchero Gang Raids: Media Personality, Lawyer, and Accountant Struggle to Keep Names Secret

On Monday afternoon, Crown Prosecutor David Johnstone opened the case to the jury.

He told them that Naufahu came to New Zealand from Australia in early 2016 and quickly established the New Zealand chapter of the Comancheros.

Naufahu declared bankruptcy in 2010 in Australia, however upon arrival in New Zealand he opened a bank account and until 2019 $ 1.1 million were deposited.

Only $ 36,000 could be explained.

The president and his brother, Vetekina, also received regular monthly payments from a company in Australia, the court heard.

“Pasilika Naufahu and her fellow comancheros, wives, partners and families began a lifestyle both living and working together and benefited … from a series of offenses,” Johnstone said.

The gang was joined by others whose skills and attributes helped the flow of financial rewards, the court heard.

“All of these defendants contributed to its organized crime group and helped it succeed until the police intervened in April 2019.”

The group’s success included the purchase of new luxury vehicles along with an oceanfront apartment, luxury yacht charters and a $ 1.3 million home in Bucklands Beach.

The house was bought and Naufahu’s 7-year-old son was listed as the owner.

“But another thing that the success of the group bought with him was a problem, the problem was how to hide the crimes that were generating all the money,” said Johnstone.

The true source of the money was a secret and the group had to use a variety of tactics to pretend the source was legitimate, Crown said.

An attorney was used to create trusts for Naufahu and other members of the group.

“When you work carefully through the vision of reality behind the secrets and the simulation, the picture is perfectly clear,” said Johnstone.

A concreting business was used as a disguise to pay the group’s salaries and the media personality was listed as a director, the court heard.

“The reality was that [the media personality] I was running [the concreting business] to the joint benefit of him and the organized criminal group, ”said Johnstone.

Hakaraia offered coverage as a professional service provider and entrepreneur by reviewing the concrete business accounts, Johnstone said.

Hakaraia also made payments to Comanchero Vice President Tyson Daniels to buy another new Range Rover.

“There can be no sensible reason why these payments were loans,” Johnstone said.

THE CHARGES

Naufahu has denied conspiring to import a class A drug, conspiring to supply class B pseudoephedrine, and three counts of money laundering, namely using $ 212,796.96 to purchase a Bentley, Ford Ranger, and a concrete pump.

Clausen is accused of conspiring to supply pseudoephedrine, a class B drug

The media personality is charged with participating in an organized criminal group and two counts of money laundering, including the purchase of two concrete pumps for a total of $ 439,700.

Hakaraia has denied participating in an organized criminal group; two counts of possession of class A drug for supply, namely cocaine and methamphetamine; and three money laundering charges, including $ 439,700 used for two concrete pumps and $ 110,000 used towards the purchase of a Range Rover.

The woman has also denied having participated in a money laundering transaction, that is, having deposited $ 292,496.40 in cash in various bank accounts.

Earlier this month, Naufahu admitted to participating in an organized criminal group, four counts of money laundering and possession of ammunition.

Clausen also admitted to being in possession of a pistol and ammunition, a pump-action shotgun and cartridges.

In August, gang treasurer Jarome Fonua and Vetekina admitted their involvement in the operation. They will be sentenced on October 23.

Earlier this year, attorney Andrew Simpson and Daniels were jailed for their involvement.

The jury trial in the High Court is the first to take place under the current Covid-19 2.5 enhanced alert level in Auckland.

Defendants, jurors, attorneys, and the media must physically distance themselves and wear masks in the courtroom. The jurors are also seated in front of plastic screens.

The trial is scheduled for four weeks before Judge Graham Lang and a jury.