Director of the Organised and Financial Crime Agency NZ (OFCANZ), Malcolm Burgess says the agency has made a significant hit on organised crime over the last week.
A year long operation codenamed Acacia, which targeted an Asian crime group resident in Auckland, has netted over $400,000 in cash, $5.5 million worth of Methamphetamine, $750,000 worth of ContacNT and 21 illegally acquired firearms. A multi-million dollar money laundering business has been restrained and property, vehicles, and other assets worth an estimated $2.8 million have been restrained under new asset recovery legislation.
We have sent a pretty clear message to crime networks in New Zealand this week," Mr Burgess said. "We are coming after you and we are not done until we have taken the money, assets and any other benefit you derive from crime."
He said Operation Acacia is an example of the approach being taken by OFCANZ. A multi-agency task force and new legislative powers provided better opportunities to not only deal with the criminality but also to seize money and assets.
"The OFCANZ mandate is to disrupt and dismantle organised crime. We have always said that this not something that we can achieve overnight. The results of Acacia have come after a year of meticulous investigative work across a range of Government agencies.
"One of our strengths comes from combining the skills and knowledge of twenty-two Government agencies working together to have maximum impact."
"We will also make it unprofitable to be involved in organised crime through using the Asset Recovery teams - not only for those directly involved but also for the people that facilitate organised crime. This includes those who launder money for criminals."
Mr Burgess warned other businesses that should they choose to accept money which is the proceeds of crime then they risk putting their entire business in jeopardy and are likely to face criminal charges.
ENDS
Contact:
Jane Archibald
027 568 0267
More details about today's developments in Operation Acacia can be found at www.police.govt.nz/news/release/24812
For further information on the Organised and Financial Crime Agency NZ go to www.ofcanz.govt.nz