King Cobras (gang)

The King Cobras are a prominent gang in New Zealand.

King Cobras
Founded1950s
Founding locationAuckland, New Zealand
Years active1950s–present
EthnicityPolynesian and Maori
Membership (est.)300[1]
Criminal activitiesDrug dealing, assault, murder
AlliesBloods, Crips, Black Power, Central Auckland street gangs

History

The King Cobras were founded in Ponsonby, sometime in the 1950s,[2] and are prominently Polynesian and Māori.[2] The King Cobras claimed territory runs from Central Auckland down to Mangere, Papatoetoe and the Cobras have proven to be very violent in cases regarding territory.[3] The Cobras presence starts in the North Shore,[4] and travels as far down south as the Hutt Valley and Wellington region.[5] The Cobras have proven to be very violent and have been involved in major cases of drug dealing.[2]

Involvement in organised crime

The Cobras have had a history of possessing firearms,[6] and have been involved in the dealing of methamphetamine, cocaine,and marijuana.[7] In 2003, members of the King Cobras ran a large methamphetamine ring along with the Head Hunters in one of Aucklands biggest drug-cases.[8][9] The King Cobras have been involved in several murder cases, including that of a 15-year-old boy,[10] and the shooting of a rival gang member, as part of a membership process.[11]

Territory

The gang has chapters and presence across South, Central,[12] North[4] and West[7] Auckland, Hutt valley, Wellington[5] and Christchurch.[13]

See also

References
  1. Field, Michael (30 July 2010). "Gang tooling up for drug war, say police". Stuff News. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  2. "Exodus for weakened Cobras - Crime - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  3. in the New Zealand Forum. "King Cobras, tooling up for drug war, say police". Topix. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  4. "Wanted man apprehended in Glenfield house - Story - NZ News". 3 News. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  5. Sam Boyer (2013-04-15). "King Cobras Gang Are Setting Up In Wellington". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  6. Field, Michael (2010-07-30). "Gang tooling up for drug war, say police". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  7. "Millionaire prisoner involved in drug ring - National - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  8. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3502507
  9. http://tvnz.co.nz/content/209992/2539670/article.html
  10. "The short sad life of a youth who took the wrong path - National - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 2004-12-04. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  11. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/10085753/King-Cobra-patch-earned-by-murder
  12. "Dope houses low on police hit-list - National - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 2003-11-15. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  13. Clarkson, David (15 November 2018). "Brawl breaks out in Christchurch court over fatal King Cobra gang-related shooting". Stuff.


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