A Kiwi-born bikie has reportedly taken over at the helm of the worldwide Comanchero motorbike club after the former boss was deported to Australia.
The Daily Telegraph in Australia reports Duax Ngakuru, who allegedly operates a drug operation out of Turkey, has been made the Supreme Commander of the bikie gang.
Ngakuru, who is reportedly worth around $100 million, was born in Rotorua but moved to Sydney when he was young.
The Daily Telegraph reports sources say Ngakuru is a major player in the importation of drugs into Australia along with his friend Hakan “Big Hux” Ayik who is wanted by the FBI.
"They are tight, and have been since they went to high school," said one source.
Another source told the publication the 42-year-old Ngakuru was directing senior members of the bikie gang both in Dubai and Australia.
Former Supreme Commander Mark Buddle was arrested in Darwin last year after he was deported from Turkey. He was charged with importing 160kg of cocaine into Australia and faces life in prison if found guilty.
A source told the Daily Telegraph Ngakuru will be concerned about what happened to Buddle as Turkey was considered a safe haven for criminals.
"Dax will be worried after what happened to Buddle because he is a New Zealand citizen where as Hux is a Turk so he is probably safe.
"I think everyone thought you were safe in Turkey, but the attitude is changing there if you are not a citizen."
Buddle was caught up in the ANOM app sting, a messaging service set up by the FBI and used by criminals around the world.
In New Zealand in June 2021 dozens of criminals, including members of the Comancheros, were arrested and over 900 charges were laid after mobsters tricked into communicating on the app.
The criminals thought their conversations about alleged murder plots and drug crimes were secret, in reality, they were being watched by authorities.
Internationally, the action was referred to as Operation Trojan Shield. The New Zealand specific action was Operation Spyglass.
In December 2021 the Sydney Morning Herald reported Ngakuru had been recorded on ANOM saying he and Ayik were untouchable in Turkey because of the power they wield.
The Sydney Morning Herald cited police reports that said Ngakuru believed he was invulnerable to law enforcement and could even get away with murder.
There were recordings of Ngakuru and Ayik talking about sending drugs to New Zealand the SMH reported.
