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[newzealand-press-news]

Man who imported 14kg of meth connected to Comancheros jailed for seven years

A drug dealer who imported 14kg of methamphetamine for the Comancheros in New Zealand has been jailed.

Samuel Vaisevuraki was arrested in February 2019, in the first phase of Operation Nova, before Comanchero president Pasilika Naufahu and associates were arrested in April 2019.

On Thursday, Vaisevuraki was sentenced to seven years by Judge Nevin Dawson for his “significant” part in the “sophisticated" operation.

The 42-year-old previously admitted four charges of importing methamphetamine, supplying the Class A drug and also two charges of conspiring to deal the drug. In total 14 kg of methamphetamine was involved.

Vaisevuraki, had not been named publicly before, but his name was mentioned countless times during Naufahu’s trial in September 2020.

The court heard in 2018 Vaisevuraki was living in Sydney when he was approached after his family were threatened over a family member's debts.

Methamphetamine was then imported into New Zealand in kitchen appliances from the United States.

Defence lawyer Dale Dufty said Vaisevuraki now accepted he was involved in the offending, which began out of motivation to pay off debt, make money and also fuel his own drug addiction.

Dufty said his client had a “terrible” upbringing and since been in prison had attempted to distance himself from gangs.

However, Dufty submitted, it was Vaisevuraki’s family member who was the central architect in the offending.

Crown prosecutor James Herring said Vaisevuraki played a “significant” role in the importation and was a primary distributor, receiving money from stakeholders both in New Zealand and overseas.

Judge Dawson said this was sophisticated offending in a commercial enterprise for the criminal organisation.

The judge accepted the man had been “greatly misled” by his family member and found a causative link between Vaisevuraki's background and the offending.

Judge Dawson said Vaisevuraki, having left gangs and motivated to address the drug addiction, had displayed insight into his offending and hoped once released he could have a good life.

Operation Nova In early 2018 police from the National Organised Crime Group began an investigation and identified a joint criminal enterprise importing methamphetamine into New Zealand involving members of the Comancheros and associates.

Drugs were imported into the country through catering appliances, sent from United States-based restaurant equipment supplies to various addresses in New Zealand.

These appliances were packed with methamphetamine.

Tallat Rahman and his son Joshua sourced the drug and arranged for its delivery to New Zealand.

Vaisevuraki was one of the men on the ground to receive, distribute and receive cash for distribution to various stakeholders both internationally and domestically, court documents said.

Discussions were had with other defendants about how Vaisevuraki could sell 5kg of meth weekly.

During the Naufahu trial, hours of intercepted communications were played to the jury, much of which involved Vaisevuraki.

On September 20, 2018, an audio device was fitted in Vaisevuraki’s vehicle after he had arrived into Auckland from Sydney days earlier.

In the recording, Vaisevuraki can be heard getting frustrated with He Sha – a hairdresser from Sydney – talking about a “deal” that he can make nearly half a million dollars from.

“This is the biggest gang in New Zealand, if they put word on the street about you, no-one comes near you.”

Vaisevuraki goes on to tell Sha about the “richest man in the country” who has a billion dollars.

This deal never eventuated.

The day before, Vaisevuraki was observed leaving a Karaka address in a ute.

Officers then observed the ute park up in Howick next to a white Range Rover. Shortly after Vaisevuraki and Naufahu were seen by police sitting in the Howick Village Cafe.