The King Cobras are a prominent Pacific gang in New Zealand. [2]
| Founded | 1950s |
|---|---|
| Founding location | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Years active | 1950s–present |
| Ethnicity | Polynesian |
| Membership (est.) | 400[1] |
| Criminal activities | Drug dealing, assault, murder |
| Allies | Bloods, Crips, Black Power, Central Auckland street gangs |
History edit
The King Cobras were founded by Samoans in Ponsonby sometime in the 1950s, making them the oldest gang in New Zealand.[3] Initially, it was restricted to Samoans, but has since accepted other Polynesians.[3] The King Cobras have had a presence across South, Central,[4] North[5] and West Auckland,[6] Hutt Valley, Wellington[7] and Christchurch.[8]
The Cobras have proven to be very violent[3] and have a history of possessing firearms.[9] They have been involved in major cases of drug dealing,[3] including in methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.[6] In 2003, members of the King Cobras ran a large methamphetamine ring along with the Head Hunters in one of Aucklands biggest drug cases.[10][11] The King Cobras have been involved in several murder cases, including that of a 15-year-old boy,[12] and the shooting of a rival gang member, as part of a membership process.[13]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Field, Michael (30 July 2010). "Gang tooling up for drug war, say police". Stuff News. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ Newbold, Greg; Taonui, Rawiri (2 October 2018). "Māori gangs and Pacific youth gangs". Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Exodus for weakened Cobras". The New Zealand Herald. 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ^ "Dope houses low on police hit-list". The New Zealand Herald. 2003-11-15. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ^ "Wanted man apprehended in Glenfield house". 3 News. 3 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ^ a b "Millionaire prisoner involved in drug ring". The New Zealand Herald. 11 January 2009. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ^ Boyer, Sam (2013-04-15). "King Cobras Gang Are Setting Up In Wellington". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ^ Clarkson, David (15 November 2018). "Brawl breaks out in Christchurch court over fatal King Cobra gang-related shooting". Stuff.
- ^ Field, Michael (2010-07-30). "Gang tooling up for drug war, say police". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ^ "Police tapes lift the lid on Auckland's drugs underworld". The New Zealand Herald. 17 May 2003.
- ^ "Five jailed after lengthy drug trial". TVNZ. 31 July 2003. Archived from the original on 2015-01-29.
- ^ "The short sad life of a youth who took the wrong path". The New Zealand Herald. 2004-12-04. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ^ "King Cobra patch earned by murder". Stuff. 26 May 2014.
External links edit
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