An Auckland accountant has been convicted of laundering nearly NZ$7.8 million in drug proceeds on behalf of the Comancheros motorcycle gang, following a complex scheme involving multiple companies and property transactions.

Khieng Chiv, also known as Kevin, the 46-year-old white-collar professional, was identified as the central figure behind the gang’s financial operations. Over a three-year period, Chiv established a network of companies, purportedly engaged in construction, to facilitate a sophisticated "cash wages" money laundering operation. His efforts included investing about NZ$1.8 million in cryptocurrency, purchasing a bar and adjacent cafe in Orewa for a similar amount, and acquiring two residential properties in Auckland.

One of the homes, a $3.8 million mansion in Half Moon Bay, was registered to Viliami Havea—an associate of the Comancheros—but served as a residence for Pasilika Naufahu, the gang's national president, and his family. Havea was also involved in the purchase of the Orewa businesses, which later went into liquidation owing substantial unpaid debts. Court documents revealed that Chiv forged tax returns claiming Havea earned more than $700,000 annually to secure a mortgage for the Half Moon Bay property.

Chiv’s involvement came to light as part of Operation Scuba, a large-scale money laundering investigation that culminated in his arrest more than two-and-a-half years ago. At trial, Chiv denied all charges, asserting that the significant cash deposits made through his companies were legitimate and that he was unaware of his clients’ criminal affiliations. However, encrypted messages exchanged between Chiv and Lihai Vimahi, a senior Comancheros member, undermined this defense. In these communications, Chiv’s alias "Dragon King" was used, and Vimahi issued threats and sought assurance that their illicit activities remained concealed from law enforcement.

Vimahi pleaded guilty to charges related to organised crime, drug supply, and money laundering, receiving a 12-year prison sentence. Naufahu, already serving time, was recently sentenced to an additional eight years for his role in the gang’s criminal activities.

Chiv was ultimately convicted on multiple counts, including false accounting, document alteration, obtaining by deception, participation in an organised criminal group, and 20 counts of money laundering. Judge Debra Bell, in sentencing Chiv to 10 years and 10 months in prison, emphasized the critical role played by professionals like him who provide criminal networks with legitimacy and access to financial systems. She noted that such facilitators are essential in sustaining drug operations by disguising illicit funds through complex corporate and financial mechanisms.

While the amount laundered by Chiv is significant, it is reportedly smaller than New Zealand's largest known money laundering case involving Ye "Cathay" Hua, who was sentenced for laundering NZ$18 million. Judge Bell distinguished Chiv’s case on the basis of the deliberate and sophisticated nature of his activities compared to Hua’s, which were characterized as more reckless than calculated.

Judge Bell described Chiv’s actions as among the most serious money laundering offenses in the country, highlighting the aggravating factor of fraudulently obtaining millions in bank loans. The ruling reflects an ongoing effort by authorities to disrupt the financial infrastructure underpinning organised crime in New Zealand.