Laundering charges relate to millions

AUCKLAND: An Auckland man arrested as part of a major asset seizure operation faces a slew of money laundering charges, some alleging he was given thousands of dollars to buy cryptocurrency.

The 40yearold man faces 30 charges, most accusing him of money laundering.

He appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday afternoon and was granted interim name suppression by Community Magistrate Dianne Hale.

Several charges allege the man was given thousands of dollars to buy cryptocurrency for laundering, court documents show.

Other charges allege the man laundered funds by buying highend vehicles. Those accusations include $421,000 for a Lamborghini and about $288,888 for a Black Mercedes G63.

He is also accused of laundering money in respect of just over $1.7 million used to buy an East Auckland property.

One charge alleges he gained an unknown amount of cash for money laundering from an individual while at Auckland Airport earlier this year.

The man is also accused of obtaining by deception in relation to a credit of just over $1 million dollars from a bank.

Police arrested six people and seized millions in assets after raids in Half Moon Bay, Te Atatu and New Lynn yesterday.

Dozens of officers were involved in the search warrants in the culmination of a longrunning investigation dubbed Operation Brookings.

In total, seven highend luxury vehicles and three properties — worth at least $3.3 million — were restrained during the police operation yesterday. Of those charged, four are men and two are women. The group range in age from 29 to 65. All face money laundering charges.

The man who appeared yesterday is next due in court in November. The five others are expected to appear in court next week.