Drug dealer loses his ill-gotten possessions

A drug dealer has settled a proceeds of crime case for $192,000.

Shan Edward Owen was sentenced in July 2014 to three years’ jail for methamphetamine offences.

Earlier that month, Wellingtonian Talia Smith had died in floodwaters at his Northland property, where he had been hosting a party.

Owen had an interest in two Northland properties for which Police had obtained court restraining orders when he was suspected of drug-dealing.

The orders were awaiting an application for forfeiture of $40,000 cash that had been seized, and a claim that another $150,000 should be paid as the unlawful benefit he got from drug-dealing.

Police and Owen agreed an outcome between themselves and a High Court judge, Justice Karen Clark, approved the settlement.

Owen lost $39,720 from cash seized in November 2010, plus the interest that had accrued.

He also lost another $150,000 it was alleged he made from dealing. That had already been deposited in a proceeds of crime account.

In return, restraining orders were lifted for the two Northland properties. One registered in his name was valued at $285,000 and had no debts registered against it.

The second $325,000 address was mortgaged, with Owen and another man as the listed owners.