Top Comancher and Rebel Gang Leaders Arrested in Phase Two of Operation Cincinnati

High-ranking leaders of the Comancheros and Rebeldes gangs have been arrested and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash seized after a series of armed police raids in Auckland and Christchurch.

Police arrested 12 more people today as part of Operation Cincinnati and located drugs, some of which were ready for sale, and a shotgun after executing 24 search warrants.

Police searched 21 properties in Auckland and three in Christchurch.

New Zealand Customs staff, members of the Armed Criminal Squad, staff from the Asset Recovery Unit and the Police Dog Section assisted the police with the searches.

It follows the first phase of Operation Cincinnati in October when 26 people were arrested and kilos of drugs seized, along with multiple firearms and more than $ 10 million in assets.

Police said the nine-month investigation, led by the National Group Against Organized Crime, targeted a core group that is allegedly involved in the import, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine, MDMA and other drugs in the two cities.

Today’s arrests include a Comancheros gang leader, who allegedly formed a partnership with a high-ranking member of the Rebels gang in Christchurch, both of whom allegedly ran drug distribution networks in their areas, police said in a statement. .

Another 10 gang members and their associates have also been arrested in connection with their alleged roles in the network, which saw the transport of drugs and cash between the two cities, police said.

National Organized Crime Group Acting Detective Inspector John Brunton said police were determined to target leaders and key members of these “criminal gangs” involved in illicit drug distribution, intimidation and violence.

“We want to reduce the damage that these gangs are causing in our communities,” he said.

“I also want to thank the great work done by the Operation Cincinnati team, which is committed to preventing organized crime of any kind that impacts our communities.”

Those arrested today are between the ages of 20 and 42 and will appear in Auckland District Court in the coming days on various drug-related charges.