The bang that Auckland police were expecting from outlaw Tifaga Atanoa on his eventual apprehension turned out to be more of a Chris Masoe-whimper instead. The 33-year-old fugitive, who has an expensive and large crystal meth addiction - consuming up to 2 grams a day - and is dying from lymph node cancer, was arrested last week.
Police feared violent resistance from the gang member after he apparently vowed that he would not be taken in alive; he was found without a gun. Earlier his mother had gone on television to plead for him to give himself up. Police had sought him after he failed to make a court appearance on firearms and drugs charges.
When Atanoa did finally show his face in court this week it was only for a couple of minutes. He was docile and smiling, after a much more boisterous meeting with court officials on Saturday. He will be back in court in two weeks after being remanded in custody without plea. Two women and a man, arrested on charges of helping him escape from authorities, also appeared in court.
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