The Gisborne High Court has ordered the forfeiture of over $800,000 worth of assets and cash belonging to a Wairoa couple convicted of drug supply.
Acting Detective Sergeant Shaun Kennard says the order issued by the Gisborne High Court today, comes after a long running investigation by the Police Asset Recovery Unit into the activities of Aria Hubbard and her partner, Mongrel Mob Barbarian Motorcycle Club member Samson Edwards.
Among the assets ordered forfeit:
- Five properties, four residential and one commercial
- Cash and bank accounts totalling over $153,000
- Five motor vehicles and a motorbike
- A jet ski & trailer
- Jewellery
"In April 2021, the Eastern District Organised Crime Unit commenced Operation Horizon, an investigation into the supply and distribution of methamphetamine in Wairoa. The couple were arrested in September 2021, and both were convicted of multiple charges relating to the supply of methamphetamine.
"As part of the termination of Operation Horizon, the Police Asset Recovery Unit obtained restraining orders for assets identified as belonging to the couple.
"During the financial investigation, it was established that the couple deposited over $200,000 cash into their bank accounts and spent almost $400,000 cash. The cash was used to facilitate the purchases of vehicles, jewellery and residential property, as well as paying for renovations on the various properties they owned."
Some of the property acquired by the couple was registered in the names of relatives or associates, in an apparent attempt to separate themselves from the offending and impact the efforts to identify and seize it.
"This is a further example of Police successfully targeting organised crime through both the criminal and civil courts," Acting Detective Sergeant Kennard says.
"This result will have a significant impact for the Wairoa community. Seeing offenders held to account and stripped of their criminal proceeds should remind the community that Police will continue their efforts to hold offenders to account across Hawke's Bay.
"Organised crime gangs in Hawke's Bay cause serious harm to our communities. Police will continue to work to strip organised crime groups and their associates of their wealth earnt from criminal activity."
Police also urge businesses to be mindful when accepting significant cash payments from gang members.
Although often unknowingly, you could be assisting people who are bringing great harm into the community, while you are potentially participating in a money laundering transaction that you or your business may be criminally liable for. We urge businesses to take extra caution," Acting Detective Sergeant Kennard says.
The Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 allows Police to restrain and forfeit assets acquired or derived from the proceeds of crime.
Once forfeited to the Crown, proceeds will be used for a number of things, such as projects aimed at reducing the harmful effects of drug and organised crime in the Hawke's Bay community.
