Meth kingpin loses high-end bling

A youth leader turned meth ring “kingpin” has been stripped of his gold chain, rings, diamond earrings and Louis Vuitton and Versace-branded apparel after it was determined he got the $80,000 worth of luxury goods through drug offending.

Isaiah Timothi Keresoma was jailed in April last year for five years and three months for manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine.

He was one of eight people arrested in 2019 at the end of a three-month police investigation, Operation Beacon.

Police officers searched his Manurewa property and found a locked metal box in the garage. A bag inside it contained Louis Vuitton-branded satchels, wallets and sunglasses, a pair of Versace sunglasses, and a gold chain, gold rings and diamond-stud earrings.

According to a High Court decision, the seized jewellery and designer goods had a combined value of $80,000.

Also in the bag were various bottles and chemicals used in the manufacture of meth while other equipment and material used for making the drug, around 70g of meth and two stolen motorcycles, were found in the garage.

The High Court decision considered an application by the Commissioner of Police for a profit forfeiture order under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009. Police estimated “significant criminal activity” had unlawfully benefited Keresoma to the tune of $191,350.

Justice David Johnstone said the father of three had declared no income to Inland Revenue in the 2017 and 2020 tax years.

His only declared income in 2018 and 2019 were social welfare payments and his bank account statements showed no regular spending on day-today living costs.