SIX gold-plated Harley Davidson motorbikes belonging to an infamous gang have been destroyed and crushed into scrap metal.
The flashy bikes – each valued at £75,000 – were seized by New Zealand cops along with a whopping £1.3million in assets.
Six golden-plated Harley Davidson bikes were completely destroyed in New Zealand
New Zealand PoliceOne of the flashy bikes on their way to being destroyed[/caption]
GettyThe super motorcycles belonged to the infamous Comanchero outlaw gang[/caption]
Other assets taken in Operation Nova include £208,000 in cash, four Range Rover Sports, one Rolls-Royce Wraith, high-end Mercedes-Benz and Audi cars, designer items and jewellery, and a property in Auckland.
They once belonged to the Comanchero Motorcycle Gang – known for their involvement in organised crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent activities.
The gang’s boss, Allan Meehan, had previously showed off his golden bike to his online followers.
He revealed the machine in an Instagram story showcasing its custom club colours design, to the soundtrack of Wiz Khalifa’s Black and Yellow.
Giant gold handlebars dominate and transform the drag racer into a classic chopper, complete with dazzling gold wheels, a gleaming belt guard, and a golden engine casing.
The kickstand, brakes, clutch, gear lever, and foot pegs are all gilded, but it’s unclear if they’re gold-plated or golden chrome.
The bike’s tank and seat are jet black with two parallel bands of the club’s characteristic yellow, embossed with ‘Comanchero’ and tattoo-style demonic skulls, and the seat displays the club logo.
The bikes were seized in April 2019, but it was only now that a court order gave police the green light to destroy them.
Commissioner Andrew Coster said it was the first time this kind of action had been taken in New Zealand, 1News reported.
He also explained why the golden Harleys had to be destroyed.
He said: “It is our view that the design of the motorcycles, and the personalised plates, are very distinctive and are exclusively linked to the Comancheros.
“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.”
Mr Coster said: “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.”
He added: “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.”
Earlier this month, a former gang boss was deported back to Australia as he was convicted in connection with the operation.
The operation also saw 18 people charged with importing methamphetamine, possession of cocaine for supply, money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms.
New Zealand PoliceThe vehicles were seized in April 2019 but only now received the go-ahead to be crushed into scrap metal[/caption]
Cops explained the bikes had to be crushed so they don’t end up back in the hands of gangsters
Who are the Comanchero Motorcycle Gang
THE Comanchero Motorcycle Gang originated in Sydney, Australia, but it also has a presence in New Zealand.
In New Zealand, they’re known for involvement in organized crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent activities.
Members often ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which are commonly associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs.
While they may not have a specific distinctive feature on their bikes, the group’s insignia and patches are typically displayed on their jackets or vests, indicating their affiliation with the gang.
The Comancheros have also been involved in high-profile incidents, prompting law enforcement to intensify efforts against them.
One of them occurred in 2019 when a shooting took place at the Head Hunters gang pad in Auckland.
It resulted in multiple arrests and highlighted the ongoing conflicts between rival gangs in the country.
In 2021, four alleged Comanchero members were arrested after cops claimed they planned to lure a fellow gangster to North Adelaide to assault him, ABC Australia reported.
As of 2022, the Comanchero Motorcycle Gang was still active in both Australia and New Zealand, despite ongoing efforts by law enforcement to disrupt their activities.
Exact membership numbers are difficult to determine precisely due to their secretive nature.
But estimates suggest that the Comancheros have several hundred members and associates across Australia and New Zealand combined.