By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.
Police have seized more than $7 million in assets in relation to New Zealand’s largest meth bust, when 613kg of the drug was seized at Auckland Airport this month.
A Lamboghini Huracan restrained by police as part of the country’s largest drug bust. Photo: NZ Police / Supplied
The restrained assets include four properties – in Karaka, Papakura and Henderson in Auckland; and Pukehina in Bay of Plenty – five vehicles including a Lamborghini Huracan and a Ferrari, and a bank account with more than $1m.
Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmid said they belonged to the alleged lead offender in the drug syndicate – a 36-year-old a patched Mongrel Mob gang member.
The individual is due to appear in Manukau District Court in early May on conspiracy to import and money laundering charges.
“This is a significant seizure of millions of dollars’ worth of property, allegedly gained from the proceeds of crime,” Schmid said.
Photo: NZ Police / Supplied
“These criminal syndicates are motivated by financial greed and prey on those who are most vulnerable, with no regard for the destruction and social harm that methamphetamine causes in our communities … we will continue to target criminals who gain wealth through the sale of illegal drugs and strip them of their illegally obtained assets.”
More than six arrests were made after more than half a tonne of methamphetamine, worth more than $245m, was seized on 2 March.
Police at the time said some of those arrested in the operation, dubbed Weirton, had links to the Comancheros motorcycle gang.
