An undercover Police operation is sending a strong warning to retailers who might be using dubious supply chains or purchasing stolen goods.
For the past year, Manurewa CIB has been investigating allegations a retail store had been purchasing stolen products for resale in their own store.
This week, the covert operation culminated in detectives executing a search warrant at a Manurewa shop.
A 27-year-old man is now facing five money laundering charges as a result of the investigation.
Counties Manukau Central Acting Area Commander Inspector Warrick Adkin says Police are targeting retail crime on a multitude of fronts.
"Our investigation team has been examining these allegations since information was first received in July last year, particularly where stolen goods may be being offered for purchase at cheap prices to shop owners," he says.
"While I can't comment on specifics of this investigation, the use of our covert operators has been pivotal to progressing the case."
During a search warrant at the Manurewa shop, Police located various items of interest, including a small quantity of illicit tobacco.
"Information obtained in our investigation this week has also led to a search warrant being executed at a Mount Wellington shop, and a residential address in the south Auckland area," Inspector Adkin says.
Police have recovered other items of interest which will assist in ongoing enquiries.
The man charged will appear in the Manukau District Court today, Friday 7 August.
Inspector Adkin says: "We are warning retailers who are choosing to use unofficial supply chains or looking to purchase goods that are likely stolen.
"Police are not only investigating those committing theft and other retail crime offences, but also those that are buying or receiving these goods.
"Retailers need to be aware that by engaging in this behaviour they are creating a market for stolen goods, which in turn makes themselves and their fellow retailers targets for offending."
Police will continue to use all available tools to investigate and prosecute retail crime.
If you have information regarding stolen goods, you can report this to Police online, via 105, or by calling Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.
