Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Hawke’s Bay Police, together with the Asset Recovery Unit, today executed a number of search warrants in the Hastings area to seize vehicles and assets worth more than $1 million.
The seized property belonged to a 35-year-old man who was arrested over the Christmas period in possession of a significant quantity of methamphetamine, ecstasy and cannabis intended to be supplied in the Hawke’s Bay area. The drugs were worth about $90,000 at street level.
Detective Sergeant Alex Macdonald of the Asset Recovery Unit says his team are working hard together with Hawke’s Bay Police to combat gangs and organised crime in the district.
“The Asset Recovery Unit is committed to helping protect the Hawke’s Bay community from drug harm and criminals.
“We have restrained over $6.5 million worth of cash and assets from Hawke’s Bay members of the Mongrel Mob gang alone in the last two years, and we will continue to work to strip criminals and drugs dealers of their wealth earnt from crime.”
Today’s operation has seen the restraint and seizure of a residential property, cash and a number of vehicles including a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
The property will ultimately be subject to forfeiture to the Crown, and the proceeds used for a number of things, such as projects aimed at reducing methamphetamine harm in the community.
The man is still before the courts on drug and firearms charges and is next due to appear in the Hastings District Court on April 1.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
