Three Bay of Plenty men have been charged with the murder of a man who disappeared last year, although his body has not been found.
The men, aged 33, 41 and 50, are accused of killing William Taikato, 40, in December.
The oldest man is also charged with the murder of Darrell Crawford, whose body also has not been found since he went missing in August last year.
The three were granted interim name suppression when they appeared in Tauranga District Court on Monday. They did not enter a plea and were remanded in custody.
Police say the three accused have strong gang affiliations and believe the motive for both killings was connected to methamphetamine.
Police say they believe other people were involved in the men's deaths, and more arrests are likely.
