$3.5 million haul in drug raids
Assets totalling around $3.5 million have been seized by police in a series of raids executed on a New Zealand drug and money laundering network.
The restrained assets include six properties, a catamaran, a yacht, a leisure boat, a jet ski, a motorbike and classic cars — all held under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.
Police executed 18 search warrants in relation to Operation Chestnut — a 10-month-long investigation led by the Manawatu Organised Crime Unit into the sale and supply of methamphetamine and associated offending in Tasman, Wellington, Central and Eastern Police districts.
The search warrants began in Wellington on Wednesday with the arrest of the alleged main offender, a 44-year-old man from Horowhenua with links to members of the Filthy Few, Hells Angels, Head Hunters, Black Power and Mongrel Mob.
He has been charged with 12 offences including possession of methamphetamine for supply, conspiring to deal methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon and money laundering. He is scheduled to reappear in Wellington District Court on November 4.
Yesterday, further search warrants were executed at properties in Horowhenua, Himatangi, Horopito, Marlborough Sounds and Wellington. In Horowhenua, a significant marijuana-growing operation was located with 60 mature plants and 4kg of packaged cannabis.
Three Tasman men — aged 44, 50, 53 — have been charged with drugrelated offending, alongside a 36-yearold man, 54-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman from Horowhenua. Nineteen firearms, methamphetamine and about $500,000 cash has also been seized.