King Cobras (gang)

King Cobras
Founded1950s
Founding locationPonsonby, Auckland, New Zealand
Years active1950s–present
EthnicityPolynesian
Membership (est.)400[1]
Criminal activitiesDrug dealing, assault, murder
AlliesBloods, Crips, Black Power, Central Auckland street gangs

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,[6] Hutt Valley, Wellington,[7] Dunedin[8] and Christchurch.[9]

The Cobras have proven to be very violent[3] and have a history of possessing firearms.[10] 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.[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

References

  1. ^ Field, Michael (30 July 2010). "Gang tooling up for drug war, say police". Stuff News. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  2. ^ Newbold, Greg; Taonui, Rawiri (2 October 2018). "Māori gangs and Pacific youth gangs". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Exodus for weakened Cobras". The New Zealand Herald. 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  4. ^ "Dope houses low on police hit-list". The New Zealand Herald. 2003-11-15. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  5. ^ "Wanted man apprehended in Glenfield house". 3 News. 3 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  6. ^ a b "Millionaire prisoner involved in drug ring". The New Zealand Herald. 11 January 2009. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  7. ^ Boyer, Sam (2013-04-15). "King Cobras Gang Are Setting Up In Wellington". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  8. ^ "Drug bust in Dunedin nets $40k cash, methamphetamine". Stuff. 9 April 2020.
  9. ^ Clarkson, David (15 November 2018). "Brawl breaks out in Christchurch court over fatal King Cobra gang-related shooting". Stuff.
  10. ^ Field, Michael (2010-07-30). "Gang tooling up for drug war, say police". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  11. ^ "Police tapes lift the lid on Auckland's drugs underworld". The New Zealand Herald. 17 May 2003.
  12. ^ "Five jailed after lengthy drug trial". TVNZ. 31 July 2003. Archived from the original on 2015-01-29.
  13. ^ "The short sad life of a youth who took the wrong path". The New Zealand Herald. 2004-12-04. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  14. ^ "King Cobra patch earned by murder". Stuff. 26 May 2014.


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