Assets seized from drug dealer
A LONGrunning police operation to shut down and seize assets from a South Otago drug dealer has come to a successful conclusion.
Last month Balclutha Police’s Operation Apple drew a line under the case after the courts approved the removal of $30,000 of equity from a property occupied and partowned by the cannabis dealer, a Milton man in his late 20s.
Acting CluthaTaieri area response manager Senior Sergeant Stan Leishman said the ‘‘significant’’ assets seizure sent a clear message to those engaged in criminal activity for profit, that they would not gain from their actions.
Snr Sgt Leishman began Operation Apple during an earlier deployment in Balclutha as detective sergeant, in June 2014, as a means of taking ‘‘a fresh bite at the crime problem’’. A ‘‘wellknown’’ Milton dealer had been targeted after members of the public raised concerns through the 0800 Crimestoppers anonymous police tipline, he said.
During multiple searches, quantities of cannabis of up to 200g had been discovered, although intent to supply had only been proven after undercover officers approached the dealer attempting to buy the drug.
During the ensuing prosecution, brought in April 2015, police alleged the man had been paying for his house with the proceeds from drug dealing.
Thanks to ‘‘thorough’’ work by Balclutha and Dunedin police and the Christchurch Asset Seizure Office, that had resulted in the seizure of $30,000 last month into Crown possession, Snr Sgt Leishman said.
Financial penalties of this sort were a ‘‘powerful deterrent’’ to criminal activity, he believed.
‘‘We want to let the community and criminals know we won’t tolerate drug dealing and will be targeting those causing harm through these and similar activities. If you have concerns, contact us and we’ll take action.’’