Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Fischer, Central Asset Recovery Unit:
Assets including houses, vehicles, and cash, along with a firearm have been seized as part of a larger National Organised Crime Operation dubbed Operation Yellowstone.
A 37-year-old man has been remanded in custody and is set to reappear in the Manukau District Court on Friday 22 March facing drug-related charges, after he was arrested in Hastings last week.
Police conducted two search warrants at Hastings and Tauranga addresses early last week, where a firearm, cash, and further assets were seized.
Two houses, $80,000 cash, and five motor vehicles, including a Harley Davidson Motorbike, and a Mazda BT-50 were seized pursuant to the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.
The arrested man is facing six charges of possession of methamphetamine for supply, 19 charges of supplying methamphetamine, two charges of offering to supply methamphetamine, and one charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.
He is also due to appear in the Tauranga District Court on 9 May facing two charges of unlawful possession of a restricted weapon.
“Stripping assets derived through drug dealing activity strikes at the heart of what organised crime figures wish to achieve.
“Seizing their riches created by causing harm and distress in the community not only denies them of the satisfaction of enjoying those assets, it also helps provide some restitution for the damage caused to the community.”
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
