Six gold-plated Harley Davidson motorcycles, once owned by Comanchero members, have been destroyed, police say.
The bikes’ destruction comes after a court order gave police the green light to crush the vehicles into scrap metal.
The bikes, valued at around $96,000, were seized in 2019, as part of a “major” police operation, Nova.
They belonged to the Comanchero Motorcycle gang.
In a statement, Commissioner Andrew Coster said it was the first time this kind of action had been taken in New Zealand.
He said that because the bikes were so distinctive and personalised to the gang, they had to be destroyed.
“It is our view that the design of the motorcycles, and the personalised plates, are very distinctive and are exclusively linked to the Comancheros,” Commissioner Coster says.
“It is highly likely both the bikes and licence plates would end up back in the hands of the Comancheros.
“It would defeat the purpose of the action Police have taken in this investigation.”
Across the operation, around $2,6 million of assets, excluding the motorcycles, were seized by police.
Earlier this month, a former secretary of the gang, who was convicted as part of the operation, was deported back to Australia.
“It will be of some reassurance to Police and the public that this decision means these bikes, purchased with the proceeds of crime, will not end up back in the wrong hands.
“All six bikes and the plates were destroyed on Friday, and proceeds from any scrap metal sales will go toward the consolidated fund as standard practice.”