Key Takeaways
- A two-year police operation dismantled a multimillion-dollar drug network operated by the Tribesmen Motorcycle Club.
- The network exploited gaps in airport security, using commercial flights and tow trucks to move drugs and cash.
- The principal offender, Ricky Poa, was the national vice-president of the Tribesmen and lived a lavish lifestyle, funded by the drug operation.
- The operation involved 11 members and associates of the Tribesmen, who have all been convicted and sentenced.
- The total quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine seized was conservatively estimated to be 70kg and 15kg, respectively.
Introduction to the Operation
The Tribesmen Motorcycle Club, a notorious outlaw motorcycle gang, was involved in a multimillion-dollar drug-dealing and money-laundering operation. The operation, which was dismantled by a two-year police operation, exploited gaps in airport security to transport large quantities of drugs and cash. The principal offender, Ricky Poa, was the national vice-president of the Tribesmen and lived a lavish lifestyle, funded by the drug operation. Poa, who was known for his wealth and status, boasted about his lifestyle to a Thai citizen he met during one of his trips abroad.
The Drug Network
The drug network, which was operated by Poa and his associates, involved the transportation of large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Auckland to Christchurch. The drugs were picked up in Auckland and driven to Hamilton and Rotorua, where they were then flown to Christchurch for distribution. The network used commercial flights and tow trucks to move the drugs and cash, exploiting gaps in airport security. The drugs were sold and distributed by senior members of the gang, who wore patches designating their standing and role within the gang. The patched members were unlikely to physically carry or be in the same place as the controlled drugs, but they financially benefited from the operation.
The Players Involved
The operation involved 11 members and associates of the Tribesmen, including Poa, Michael Erikson, Andrew Smith, Jaxxon Erikson, Blake Harpur, Jordan Rapana, Matthew Linto, Tramayne Rauhihi, Dylan Stuart, Caleb Caffery, and Sherryn Erikson. Each of these individuals played a role in the operation, from managing transport and storage to distributing the drugs and collecting cash. The Erikson brothers, who were responsible for managing the first supply line, arranged for their mother, Sherryn, to receive and store drugs and cash at her home in Auckland. The brothers also used a second supply line to obtain methamphetamine and cocaine from the North Island, which were collected by Rauhihi on their behalf.
The Investigation
The investigation, which was led by the South Island National Organised Crime Group, involved a team of 20 officers who worked day and night to bring down the operation. The investigation, which was codenamed Operation Italian Sky, resulted in the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as cash and assets. The total quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine seized was conservatively estimated to be 70kg and 15kg, respectively. The investigation also revealed that the operation was highly profitable, with some members of the group driving high-end vehicles, taking overseas holidays, and living affluent lifestyles.
The Sentences
The sentences handed down to the individuals involved in the operation were significant, with Poa receiving 7 years and 7 months’ imprisonment, and other members receiving sentences ranging from 1 year and 9 months to 9 years and 3 months. The sentences reflect the seriousness of the offenses and the impact that the operation had on the community. The investigation and prosecution of the operation also highlight the importance of law enforcement agencies working together to combat organized crime.
The Tribesmen Motorcycle Club
The Tribesmen Motorcycle Club, which was formed in Ōtara, South Auckland, in the early 1980s, has a long history of involvement in organized crime. The club, which has multiple chapters throughout New Zealand, is recognized as an outlaw motorcycle gang by law enforcement agencies. The club’s members, who wear patches designating their standing and role within the gang, are involved in a range of criminal activities, including drug dealing and money laundering. The club’s senior members, who benefit the most from the profits derived from these activities, are often unlikely to physically carry or be in the same place as the controlled drugs, but they financially benefit from the operation.
Conclusion
The dismantling of the Tribesmen Motorcycle Club’s drug network is a significant victory for law enforcement agencies in New Zealand. The operation, which exploited gaps in airport security, was highly profitable and had a significant impact on the community. The investigation and prosecution of the operation highlight the importance of law enforcement agencies working together to combat organized crime. The sentences handed down to the individuals involved in the operation reflect the seriousness of the offenses and the impact that the operation had on the community. The case also highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime and protect the community.