King Cobras
Founded1950s
Founding locationAuckland, 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 gang in New Zealand.

History

The King Cobras were founded by Samoans in Ponsonby sometime in the 1950s, making them the oldest gang in New Zealand.[2] Initially, it was restricted to Samoans, but has since accepted other Polynesians.[2] The King Cobras have had a presence across South, Central,[3] North[4] and West Auckland,[5] Hutt Valley, Wellington[6] and Christchurch.[7]

The Cobras have proven to be very violent[2] and have a history of possessing firearms.[8] They have been involved in major cases of drug dealing,[2] including in methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.[5] In 2003, members of the King Cobras ran a large methamphetamine ring along with the Head Hunters in one of Aucklands biggest drug cases.[9][10] The King Cobras have been involved in several murder cases, including that of a 15-year-old boy,[11] and the shooting of a rival gang member, as part of a membership process.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Field, Michael (30 July 2010). "Gang tooling up for drug war, say police". Stuff News. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Exodus for weakened Cobras". The New Zealand Herald. 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  3. ↑ "Dope houses low on police hit-list". The New Zealand Herald. 2003-11-15. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  4. ↑ "Wanted man apprehended in Glenfield house". 3 News. 3 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  5. 1 2 "Millionaire prisoner involved in drug ring". The New Zealand Herald. 11 January 2009. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  6. ↑ Boyer, Sam (2013-04-15). "King Cobras Gang Are Setting Up In Wellington". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  7. ↑ Clarkson, David (15 November 2018). "Brawl breaks out in Christchurch court over fatal King Cobra gang-related shooting". Stuff.
  8. ↑ Field, Michael (2010-07-30). "Gang tooling up for drug war, say police". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  9. ↑ "Police tapes lift the lid on Auckland's drugs underworld". The New Zealand Herald. 17 May 2003.
  10. ↑ "Five jailed after lengthy drug trial". TVNZ. 31 July 2003. Archived from the original on 2015-01-29.
  11. ↑ "The short sad life of a youth who took the wrong path". The New Zealand Herald. 2004-12-04. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  12. ↑ "King Cobra patch earned by murder". Stuff. 26 May 2014.


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