Former lotto presenter admits role in global drug syndicate

A former Lotto presenter and well-known New Zealand entertainer has admitted his involvement in a global drug syndicate uncovered through the FBI-led Operation Trojan Shield.

According to a report by Stuff, Russell Harrison appeared via video link in the Auckland High Court on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of money laundering. His lawyer, Scott Mills, confirmed that Harrison's interim name suppression could now lapse.

Harrison was arrested in 2021 alongside senior gang members as part of the international operation, which led to more than 800 arrests across 16 countries through the use of the encrypted AN0M messaging platform developed by the FBI.

Court documents show that in July 2019, Harrison received $420,000 in cash at an Auckland cemetery. The money was the proceeds of drug offending. Later that day, he purchased six gold bullion bars worth $416,000 before travelling to Turkey 10 days later, Stuff has reported.

Customs officers discovered the gold bars in his hand luggage before departure. Court documents state: “Mr Harrison was also in possession of a ‘Power of Attorney’ document which had been produced and notarised in Turkey. The document indicated that Mr Harrison was acting as a courier to transport gold on behalf of Mr Nisanci, Duax Ngakuru’s associate,” as quoted by Stuff.

After arriving in Turkey, Harrison met alleged Comancheros leader Duax Ngakuru and his associates.

Ngakuru, a Rotorua-born Comancheros figure who identified himself as the club's “International Commander”, was based in Turkey and is alleged to have established an “extremely large-scale” drug operation using AN0M to coordinate activities, Stuff has quoted.

Three other defendants also pleaded guilty on Friday.

Pomare Pirini, president of the Comancheros Bay of Plenty chapter, admitted laundering more than $1 million in drug proceeds between November 2019 and February 2020.

According to a report by Stuff, Carlo Gear pleaded guilty to conspiring to import cocaine after becoming involved in plans to bring up to 1.5 tonnes of the drug into New Zealand by sea. Intercepted AN0M messages detailed discussions involving criminal associates in Australia, Lebanon and Colombia.

Jack Phillips admitted participating in an organised criminal group. According to court documents, he helped establish links between the Comancheros and the Mongrel Mob to facilitate drug supply arrangements, Stuff has reported.

All four men were convicted and remanded on bail. They are scheduled to be sentenced in August.

The wider investigation has already resulted in convictions for other members of the syndicate, including Shane Ngakuru, who admitted distributing encrypted AN0M devices used to facilitate the importation and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine, Stuff has reported.

Duax Ngakuru was reportedly arrested in Turkey in 2023.