Founded 1950s Years active 1950s-present | Founding location Auckland, New Zealand Ethnicity Polynesian and Maori | |
Criminal activities Drug dealing, assault, murder Allies Bloods, Crips, Central Auckland street gangs | ||
The King Cobras are a prominent gang in New Zealand.
Contents
History
The King Cobras were founded in Ponsonby, sometime in the 1950s, and are prominently Polynesian and Māori. The King Cobras claimed territory runs from Central Auckland down to Mangere, Papatoetoe and the Cobras have proven to be very violent in cases regarding territory. The Cobras presence starts in the North Shore, and travels as far down south as the Hutt Valley and Wellington region. The Cobras have proven to be very violent and have been involved in major cases of Drug Dealing.
Involvement in organised crime
The Cobras have had a history of possessing firearms, and have been involved in the dealing of methamphetamine, cocaine,and marijuana. In 2003, members of the King Cobras ran a large methamphetamine ring along with the Head Hunters in one of Aucklands biggest drug-cases. The King Cobras have been involved in several murder cases, including that of a 15-year-old boy, and the shooting of a rival gang member, as part of a membership process.
Territory
The gang has chapters and presence across South, Central, North and West Auckland, Hutt valley, and Wellington.
Gang regalia
The King Cobras use phrases such as 11.3, Aiga and the sounds of a snake.