The mass arrest of every patched member of the Christchurch chapter of the Comancheros leaves it “at risk of collapse” in the city, a criminologist says.
Yesterday, officers executed 70 warrants in a large-scale operation with 21 people arrested, alongside property, vehicle, and drugs seized by authorities.
Approximately 5kg of class A drugs were seized, along with 11 firearms, ammunition, and about $250,000 cash, according to police.
Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson alleged “drug offending involving controlled drugs methamphetamine and cocaine, and extensive money laundering” in the case.
Gangs researcher and criminologist Jarrod Gilbert told 1News the move has “put a huge hole in the Comancheros — without question”.
“To bust an entire chapter is a big deal. I can’t recall a time that’s ever happened.
“This is really significant.”
He said the move would leave the Comancheros at risk of “collapse” in Christchurch with a “significant” impact on the entire gang.
Gilbert said: “By wiping them out completely, it means they’re at risk of collapse in Christchurch — which is the threat of acting in that way.
“Often times, you’ll see that there will be smaller cliques within the chapters who will act as crime groups, but not usually the chapter as a whole. The reason for that is because, if one person goes down, or the whole lot goes down, then the chapter’s at risk.”
However, the move wouldn’t quell the drug supply by much, Gilbert said. Earlier, police said the Comanchero arrests would have a “positive impact” on disrupting the supply chain.
“This is significant for this particular gang and there’s some nuances around that,” Gilbert said. “For the drug scene, as a whole, unless you’re going to dampen demand, supply will always meet it. You can knock out suppliers as much as you like — that void will be filled very quickly.”
‘Funding lifestyles at NZers’ expense’
Speaking this morning, Thomson said more than a million dollars worth of drugs at wholesale value was believed to have been moved between the North and South Island.
He said police will allege at prosecution equates to more than $15 million street value.
Investigators had employed a “suite of tactics” to gather information and evidence.
“I think that the community will be far safer,” Thomson said.
“They’re funding their lifestyles at New Zealanders’ expense.”
The Comancheros’ Christchurch chapter became a “priority target” for police after their “brazen alleged offending spread across New Zealand”, police said this morning.