Four defendants were sentenced today in the Auckland High Court.
They were Seiana Fakaosilea, Richard Pelikani, Diamond Shaquille Katoa and Rhakim Eneliko Mataia – all members of the Comancheros gang. A fifth accused, Jie Huang, will be sentenced at a later date.
The men faced a raft of charges, though it was acknowledged that Fakaosilea was the kingpin in a conspiracy to import 600kg of drugs worth $90 million. The shipment has never been found, nor is it known if it got into New Zealand, but that was not necessary to prove the conspiracy charge.
The plan was discovered when police bugged a conversation between Fakaosilea and Huang during which they spoke in code and about ‘600 keys’.
Katoa and Mataia both pleaded guilty on the first day of the trial. Katoa was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months for possession of meth for supply. Mataia was sentenced to five years and 3 months for posssession of meth for supply, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Pelikani was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months after pleading guilty to a charge of possessing a Class A drug for supply.
Fakaosilea, the former Acting National Commander of the Comancheros, was sentenced to 13 years and 2 months for various drug charges.
