Police restrain seized $40k

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

POLICE have restrained nearly $40,000 in cash after the High Court found it was likely to be the proceeds of crime in relation to cash and cannabis seized from a former Wairoa man.

In March 2018, officers conducting a road policing operation, stopped a vehicle on Latham Street, Napier.

“One of the vehicle's occupants — a patched Mongrel Mob member formerly from Wairoa — was wearing a bag containing $39,730 and two bags of dried cannabis with a street value of between $7500 and $30,680,” said Wairoa Detective Sergeant Brent Griffiths.

“Following further investigation police applied for the cash to be restrained on the basis it was likely to have been acquired through criminal activity.

“The order was granted on Thursday.”

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Det Sgt Griffiths said organised crime did immense damage to the community.

“It disproportionately impacts our most vulnerable people.

“Police will continue to identify and target anyone seeking to profit from this type of illegal activity.”