Vetekina Naufahu

Key Points

• Vetekina Naufahu is a senior member of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club in New Zealand, with a documented history of criminal activity.
• He has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including money laundering, participation in an organized criminal group, and possession of MDMA (Ecstasy).
• Convictions stem from Operation Nova, a covert police investigation targeting the Comanchero gang’s illicit activities.
• Naufahu’s criminal activities involved laundering drug money through luxury car purchases and other transactions, including a cosmetic procedure.
• Sentenced to over two years in prison, reflecting significant legal consequences.
• No direct customer feedback or business partnerships are documented, as his activities are primarily criminal rather than commercial.
• High legal and reputational risks due to his criminal record and gang affiliation.

Overview

Vetekina Naufahu is a prominent figure within the New Zealand chapter of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club, an Australian-based outlaw motorcycle gang. He is the brother of Pasilika Naufahu, the president of the New Zealand chapter. Naufahu has no documented legitimate business ventures or professional roles outside his involvement with the Comanchero gang. His activities came under scrutiny during Operation Nova, a New Zealand police investigation targeting the gang’s drug trafficking and money laundering operations between 2017 and 2019. Naufahu’s role involved facilitating financial transactions to obscure the origins of criminal proceeds, primarily through luxury vehicle purchases and other high-value expenditures.

Allegations and Concerns

• Money Laundering: Naufahu admitted to laundering criminal proceeds, notably through the purchase of a late-model Range Rover valued at approximately NZD 150,000. Additional laundering activities involved over NZD 90,000 used for renting a family home in Silverdale and funding a cosmetic procedure (calf implants).
• Participation in an Organized Criminal Group: He pleaded guilty to participating in the Comanchero Motorcycle Club’s criminal activities between May 2017 and April 2019, which carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
• Drug-Related Charges: Naufahu admitted to possession of MDMA (Ecstasy), a Class-B controlled drug, further implicating him in the gang’s drug trafficking operations.
• Association with Other Criminals: He was convicted alongside other Comanchero members, including Tyson Daniels (vice-president), Jarome Fonua (treasurer), and Auckland lawyer Andrew Simpson, who facilitated laundering through a trust account. Nearly NZD 1.3 million in cash was used to purchase luxury vehicles and property.

Customer Feedback

No direct customer feedback or consumer reviews are available for Vetekina Naufahu, as he is not associated with a legitimate business or service. His activities are tied to criminal enterprises, and public commentary is limited to media reports and court proceedings. There are no documented positive or negative reviews from customers, as his interactions primarily involve criminal associates rather than a consumer base.

Risk Considerations

• Legal Risks: Naufahu’s multiple guilty pleas and convictions indicate a high likelihood of ongoing legal scrutiny. His involvement in organized crime suggests potential for future charges if he continues gang-related activities post-incarceration.
• Reputational Risks: Association with the Comanchero Motorcycle Club, a group notorious for drug trafficking and violence, severely damages any potential for legitimate business or social standing. Public perception, as reflected in media coverage, is overwhelmingly negative.
• Financial Risks: While no personal bankruptcy records are noted, Naufahu’s reliance on criminal proceeds for financial activities (e.g., luxury car purchases) indicates an unstable and illicit financial foundation. Assets seized during Operation Nova, including five luxury cars worth over NZD 650,000, further limit his financial capacity.
• Associational Risks: Connections to other convicted criminals, including Comanchero members and a complicit lawyer, increase the risk of entanglement in further illegal activities or investigations.

Business Relations and Associations

• Comanchero Motorcycle Club: Naufahu is a senior member, closely tied to the gang’s leadership, including his brother Pasilika Naufahu (president) and Tyson Daniels (vice-president). The gang’s activities center on drug trafficking and money laundering.
• Jarome Fonua: The club’s treasurer, who also pleaded guilty to money laundering and organized crime charges, was a close associate in Operation Nova-related activities.
• Andrew Simpson: An Auckland lawyer convicted for laundering NZD 1.3 million in criminal proceeds through his trust account, used to purchase luxury vehicles and property for the gang.
• Yonghao Huang: A car dealer involved in laundering Comanchero drug money through luxury car purchases, convicted alongside Naufahu.
• Nate Nauer: A former Auckland media personality who laundered drug money for the Comancheros, also convicted with Naufahu. Nauer’s involvement highlights the gang’s ability to infiltrate broader societal networks.
  No legitimate business partnerships or affiliations are documented, as Naufahu’s activities are confined to the criminal sphere.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Criminal Convictions: In 2020, Naufahu pleaded guilty to money laundering, participation in an organized criminal group, and possession of MDMA. He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison on May 24, 2023, in the Auckland District Court.
• Operation Nova: This police sting operation in 2019-2020 led to Naufahu’s arrest and the seizure of assets, including luxury vehicles valued at over NZD 650,000. The operation exposed the Comanchero gang’s extensive money laundering network.
• No Bankruptcy Records: No public records indicate personal bankruptcy filings for Naufahu. However, his financial activities are tied to illicit proceeds, which were disrupted by asset seizures.
• Sentencing Details: The court applied a starting point of two-and-a-half years for Naufahu’s sentence, with a 15% discount for his guilty plea and a small discount for cultural factors. However, the judge noted that prior use of a cultural report in earlier sentencings limited further reductions.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Vetekina Naufahu’s profile is defined by his deep involvement in the Comanchero Motorcycle Club’s criminal activities, with no evidence of legitimate business or professional endeavors. His guilty pleas to serious charges—money laundering, organized crime, and drug possession—demonstrate a pattern of illegal behavior that poses significant legal and reputational risks. The absence of customer feedback or legitimate business relations underscores that his influence is confined to criminal networks.

Pros:

• No direct evidence of ongoing legitimate business activities, limiting exposure to commercial disputes or liabilities outside the criminal sphere.

Cons:

• Criminal convictions and gang affiliation make Naufahu a high-risk individual for any legitimate business or social engagement.
• Asset seizures and reliance on illicit funds indicate financial instability.
• Associations with other convicted criminals increase the likelihood of future legal issues.

Cautionary Advice:
Engaging with Vetekina Naufahu in any capacity—business, personal, or otherwise—carries extreme risk due to his documented criminal history and ongoing ties to the Comanchero Motorcycle Club. Individuals or entities should avoid contact to prevent entanglement in legal investigations or reputational damage. Law enforcement scrutiny is likely to persist, and any financial dealings may be subject to forfeiture or investigation.

Key Citations

• NZ Herald, “Comanchero gang raids: Vetekina Naufahu pleads guilty to money laundering, drug and organised crime charges,” August 20, 2020.
• Biker News, “Comanchero MC in New Zealand: President’s brother pleads guilty,” August 20, 2020.
• Otago Daily Times, “Ex-radio host laundered drug money for gang,” May 24, 2023.
• Neighbourly, “Senior Comanchero member admits drug charges, money laundering,” 2020.