Year-Long New Zealand Gang Operation Nets 24 Arrests and Millions in Seized Assets

A Major Blow to Organised Crime Across the North Island

In a year-long operation targeting illegal drugs run by organised crime, Waikato Police made dozens of arrests across three gangs, took drugs and guns off the streets, and seized millions in assets. The culmination of this extensive effort, known as Operation Texas, marks one of the most significant organised crime crackdowns in the Waikato region in recent memory.

Detective Inspector Albie Alexander of the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG) says Operation Texas was commenced in early 2025, looking into a widespread drug issue linked to the Waikato chapter of the Comanchero MC. Police made an initial arrest in July 2025, and following further investigation, Operation Texas was carried out in multiple phases between March and June 2026.

What Police Found: Drugs, Firearms, and Millions in Assets

A total of 134 kg of pseudoephedrine was intercepted at customs, while another 2.5 kg of methamphetamine and 500 grams of cocaine were also seized. The drug haul alone represents a significant disruption to the supply chain feeding New Zealand communities. Police also seized a quantity of firearms including two shotguns, four rifles, and a sawn-off .22 calibre rifle, along with over $100,000 in cash.

Police also restrained assets as suspected proceeds of crime under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009, including two residential dwellings, motor vehicles, and a motorcycle, worth up to $1.95 million in total. Stripping criminals of their ill-gotten gains is widely regarded as one of the most effective long-term deterrents against organised crime, cutting off the financial incentives that drive gang activity.

Who Was Arrested and What Charges They Face

Forty-two search warrants were executed across various locations in Waikato and Tāmaki Makaurau, resulting in 24 people between the ages of 22 and 49 being arrested. The arrests included Comanchero MC patched members, four nominees and six associates, as well as patched members of the Mongols MC and Mongrel Mob.

Those arrested were facing charges of importation of methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine, possession of cocaine and methamphetamine for supply, possession of firearms, money laundering, and participating in an organised criminal group. The 24 people are at various stages of the court process.

The Team Behind the Operation

The operation brought together dozens of officers from multiple policing districts, with Acting Waikato Crime Manager Detective Inspector Stephen Ambler recognising the dedication and diligence of the Waikato NOCG team who worked on the operation for the past year. Ambler noted that NOCG teams are dedicated to targeting those who cause the most harm through the sale of illegal drugs, and expressed pride in having "significantly reducing the negative effects of drugs to our local communities."

Operations like Texas underscore the sustained, methodical approach New Zealand law enforcement is taking against entrenched gang networks. With 24 individuals now moving through the courts, the legal proceedings ahead will be a key test of how effectively the evidence gathered over more than a year translates into lasting consequences for those at the heart of the operation.