Key Takeaways:
- A two-year police operation, Operation Italian Sky, has dismantled a multimillion-dollar drug network linked to the Tribesmen Motorcycle gang.
- The network exploited gaps in airport security, using commercial flights and tow trucks to transport drugs and cash.
- The operation resulted in the conviction and sentencing of 11 members and associates of the Tribesmen gang.
- The gang’s leader, Ricky Poa, was sentenced to 7 years and 7 months’ imprisonment for his role in the operation.
- The police investigation involved hundreds of hours of work and resulted in the seizure of $497,000 in cash and significant quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine.
Introduction to the Operation
The Tribesmen Motorcycle gang’s multimillion-dollar drug network has been dismantled after a two-year police operation. The operation, code-named Operation Italian Sky, involved a team of 20 officers who worked tirelessly to bring down the gang’s leaders and disrupt their supply chains. At the center of the operation was Ricky Poa, a 33-year-old man who lived a lavish lifestyle, traveling business class and driving high-end vehicles, despite being legally unemployed. Poa’s wealth and status were built on his role as the leader of the Tribesmen gang’s drug network, which exploited weaknesses in regional airport security to transport large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine.
The Drug Network
The drug network operated on two supply lines, with the first line involving the transportation of methamphetamine from Auckland to Christchurch via commercial flights. The drugs were then distributed to street-level dealers in Christchurch, with the cash proceeds being collected and sent back to Auckland. The second supply line involved the use of tow trucks to transport cash and drugs between Auckland and Christchurch, with the drivers meeting with unknown persons from organized crime groups to exchange cash for wholesale quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine. The drivers, including Tramayne Rauhihi and Blake Harpur, would then transport the drugs back to Christchurch for distribution.
The Roles of Key Players
Poa’s role in the operation was that of the principal offender, leader, and main financial beneficiary. He instructed his associates to carry out the groundwork, while he sourced significant quantities of drugs from organized crime groups in Auckland and elsewhere. Michael Erikson, one of Poa’s most trusted associates, managed the transport and storage of the drugs and cash, while his brother, Jaxxon, was responsible for distributing the methamphetamine to street-level dealers. Other key players included Matthew Linton, who stored large quantities of cash and monitored the amount of money being made by the dealers, and Caleb Caffery, who stored cash for the gang and deposited it into bank accounts under his control.
The Police Investigation
The police investigation into the Tribesmen gang’s drug network was led by the National Organised Crime Group South Island, with Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Sparks at the helm. The investigation involved hundreds of hours of work, with the team gathering evidence and building a case against the gang’s leaders. The police worked with carriers to identify and exploit gaps in airport security, and were able to intercept communications between the gang members and gather evidence of their activities. The investigation resulted in the seizure of $497,000 in cash and significant quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, and led to the conviction and sentencing of 11 members and associates of the Tribesmen gang.
The Sentences
The sentences handed down to the gang members and associates ranged from 10 months’ home detention to 9 years and 3 months’ imprisonment. Poa was sentenced to 7 years and 7 months’ imprisonment, while Michael Erikson received a sentence of 8 years and 4 months’ imprisonment. Andrew Smith, a senior member of the gang, was sentenced to 9 years and 3 months’ imprisonment, while Jaxxon Erikson received a sentence of 6 years and 3 months’ imprisonment.
The Tribesmen Motorcycle Gang
The Tribesmen Motorcycle Club was formed in tara, South Auckland, in the early 1980s, and has since grown to have multiple chapters throughout New Zealand. The gang is recognized as an outlaw motorcycle gang, and its members wear patches that designate their standing and role within the gang. Senior members of the gang, such as Poa and Smith, are unlikely to physically carry or be in the same place as the controlled drugs from which they financially benefit, instead relying on associates and prospects to carry out the groundwork. The gang’s activities are often hidden behind a facade of legitimate businesses, such as Harpur’s towing company and vehicle detailing business, which were used to facilitate the transportation of cash and drugs.
Conclusion
The dismantling of the Tribesmen Motorcycle gang’s drug network is a significant victory for law enforcement, and demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted investigations and operations. The case highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of organized crime, including the demand for illicit drugs and the weaknesses in airport security that allow gangs to operate. As Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Sparks noted, the police will continue to work to restrict or stop the supply of illicit drugs, and will not let up in the fight against organized crime.
