Wellington, NZ – A Comanchero gang member who amassed a staggering stash of drugs, cash, and weapons has been sentenced to 14 years and 10 months in prison after failing to convince the court his crimes were solely to feed his addiction.
Sunia Mano To’ofohe, 45, was caught following a police operation in May 2023 after being stopped at a Levin service station while returning from Auckland, the NZ Herald reported.
Unbeknownst to him, he was already under surveillance as part of Operation Elusive, a major investigation into Wellington’s methamphetamine supply.
A subsequent search of his Lower Hutt flat uncovered 11 kilograms of methamphetamine, enough to supply the Wellington region for over two months, alongside $547,000 in cash, a Ruger rifle, 57 rounds of ammunition, and an array of other drugs, including cocaine, GBL, LSD, oxycodone, and cannabis.
Police also seized drug scales, a money counter, and meth pipes from the property.
During his trial in February, the court heard that To’ofohe’s bedroom was so packed with evidence that officers worked all night, requiring additional staff to catalogue the haul.
Justice Gwyn acknowledged To’ofohe’s struggles with addiction and his desire to be present for his young children, but emphasised the scale of his offending, which included 14 charges, ranging from drug supply to illegal firearm possession.
While the Crown pushed for a minimum imprisonment period, Justice Gwyn declined, noting that To’ofohe might still turn his life around with rehabilitation.
However, she made it clear that his role in fueling the drug trade demanded a lengthy prison sentence.
