King Cobras (gang) explained
The King Cobras are a prominent Pacific gang in New Zealand.[2]
History
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, Hutt Valley, Wellington,[6] Dunedin[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.[10] In 2003, members of the King Cobras ran a large methamphetamine ring along with the Head Hunters in one of Aucklands biggest drug cases.[11] [12] The King Cobras have been involved in several murder cases, including that of a 15-year-old boy,[13] and the shooting of a rival gang member, as part of a membership process.[14]
See also
Notes and References
- News: Field. Michael. Gang tooling up for drug war, say police. 6 May 2018. Stuff News. 30 July 2010.
- Encyclopedia: Newbold . Greg . Taonui . Rawiri . Māori gangs and Pacific youth gangs . . 27 February 2024 . 2 October 2018.
- Web site: Exodus for weakened Cobras . . 2011-08-07 . 2014-01-31.
- Web site: Dope houses low on police hit-list . . 2003-11-15 . 2014-01-31.
- News: Wanted man apprehended in Glenfield house . 3 News . 3 August 2010 . 2014-01-31 . 2014-02-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140201174058/http://www.3news.co.nz/Wanted-man-apprehended-in-Glenfield-house/tabid/423/articleID/168805/Default.aspx . dead .
- Web site: Sam . Boyer . King Cobras Gang Are Setting Up In Wellington . Stuff.co.nz . 2013-04-15 . 2014-01-31.
- News: Drug bust in Dunedin nets $40k cash, methamphetamine. Stuff. 9 April 2020.
- News: Brawl breaks out in Christchurch court over fatal King Cobra gang-related shooting. 15 November 2018. Stuff. David. Clarkson.
- Web site: Field . Michael . Gang tooling up for drug war, say police . Stuff.co.nz . 2010-07-30 . 2014-01-31.
- News: Millionaire prisoner involved in drug ring . . 11 January 2009 . 2014-01-31.
- Web site: Police tapes lift the lid on Auckland's drugs underworld . 17 May 2003 . The New Zealand Herald.
- Web site: Five jailed after lengthy drug trial . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150129222414/http://tvnz.co.nz/content/209992/2539670/article.html . 2015-01-29. 31 July 2003 . TVNZ.
- News: The short sad life of a youth who took the wrong path . . 2004-12-04 . 2014-01-31.
- Web site: King Cobra patch earned by murder. 26 May 2014 . Stuff.