$70,000 forfeited by Northland meth cooks after police settlement

Methamphetamine being cooked inside an active meth lab.

Two men arrested for cooking methamphetamine in Northland have agreed to forfeit more than $70,000 in suspected drug proceeds after reaching settlements with the police commissioner.

Related High Court judgments released this month confirmed Levi Heremaia Patariki Smith and Nicholas Owen Jones have agreed to abandon all claims to the seized cash, which would be forfeited to the Crown under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.

Smith, Jones, and their co-offenders Paul Guy and Leslie Mita were all variously involved in three methamphetamine manufacturing operations between 2021 and mid-2022. Two were at Smith’s Herekino property and one at an Ōpua address. Jones was identified as the lead cook in all three operations.

Smith and Jones were arrested in July 2022 after police raided Smith’s rural home on Kaitāia-Awaroa Rd. Before officers arrived, the pair – alongside Mita – was seen fleeing the property carrying a large frying pan and baking dish filled with methamphetamine.

Inside the house, police uncovered a large clandestine meth lab, 1.6kg of finished methamphetamine, manufacturing equipment, and $23,627 in cash located in a bedroom Smith shared with his partner. Additional cash – $4211 – was found in a rented Ford Ranger vehicle at the scene.

That same day, police also searched Jones’ St Heliers, Auckland, home where they found $43,750 hidden in a plastic container.

Officers also seized drug-related paraphernalia including commercial counting scales, vacuum seal packaging, and a Head Hunters Motorcycle Club vest.

Jones claimed the cash was club (Headhunters) money.

Both men pleaded guilty to multiple drug charges, and were jailed.

Financial investigations revealed both men had minimal legitimate income and limited banking activity, leading authorities to conclude the seized cash was drug proceeds.

Under the settlements, Smith forfeited the $23,627 found at his home, while Jones forfeited the $43,750 found at his residence and the $4211 found in the Ford Ranger at Smith’s house.

The Commissioner of Police agreed not to pursue profit forfeiture orders against either man, citing their lack of assets and the desire to avoid further legal costs.

Justice Venning approved both settlements, which he said met the purposes of the Act and the overall interests of justice. The forfeited funds were placed under the custody of the Official Assignee.

Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for theNorthern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, most of which she spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast