OFCANZ investigators have swooped on a financial exchange business operating in downtown Auckland in an early morning raid today seizing large amounts of cash, freezing the operating accounts of the business and restraining a property owned by the company director.
The raid is another phase of Operation Acacia and follows the $5 million dollar methamphetamine seizure on Friday last week by the Organised and Financial Crime Agency, New Zealand (OFCANZ) and Auckland Metro Crime Services (AMCOS).
The investigation "Taskforce Acacia" targeted Asian organised criminals running importation and distribution networks for methamphetamine.
Head of the OFCANZ Taskforce Detective Inspector Steve Wood said today's actions reflect the hard line approach now being taken on organised crime.
Assets restrained today, include a house valued at $2 million, two vehicles and the financial firm's bank accounts. An estimated $40,000 in cash was also seized.
"We are not going to rest until we have disrupted the entire network from the organisers and street dealers through to those that help launder the money".
Mr Wood said that new powers of the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 have enabled Police to hit criminals where it really hurts - taking their money and assets.
"Police believe the financial firm has assisted the drug ring to launder money by transferring large amounts of drug money through various accounts and moving it internationally to disguise its origin."
As a result of today's raids a 26 year old company director is jointly charged with a 27 year old finance manager with money laundering $1.9 million dollars over the past year.
Summary of Acacia Operation (including today's activity):
* During the year-long investigation 16 people have been charged with drug dealing charges punishable by life imprisonment.
* Acacia 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.
ENDS
For further information
Jane Archibald
027 568 0267
More details about the Organised and Financial Crime Agency New Zealand can be found at www.ofcanz.govt.nz
