Police successfully submitted a request to the High Court to forfeit the property in Wigram, under the Criminal Proceeds Act 2009. Photo / NZ Police
Police successfully submitted a request to the High Court to forfeit the property in Wigram, under the Criminal Proceeds Act 2009. Photo / NZ Police
The Christchurch headquarters of the Head Hunters motorcycle gang has been forfeited to police, after a significant decision by the High Court at Christchurch.
Police asked the High Court to forfeit the Wigram property under the Criminal Proceeds Act 2009.
Also seized was $6162.30 from unlicensed gaming machines, and aHarley Davidson motorcycle.
The news has come as a relief to those in the neighbourhood, who have claimed to have endured menacing looks and loud motorbikes.
“Even though we never saw them, you knew they were around,” one neighbour said.
Policeseized the property in 2017, after a major investigation the year before into the gang’s involvement in organised crime and drug offences.
Police had initially seized the property in 2017. Photo / NZ Police
Police applied for its forfeiture to the High Court on the grounds that Christchurch-based members and associates of Head Hunters were deeply involved in the sale of methamphetamine.
Those members and associates also made numerous improvements to the property since it came into the gang’s ownership.
The property was taken over by Head Hunters in 2016, after being previously occupied by the Epitaph Riders gang.
Thomas John moved into the street in April and knew of the gang pad, but had been told by the property’s agent the house was “frozen” while the courts determined what would happen to it.
John said it was good news for the neighbourhood, as gang pads will typically give neighbourhoods a bad impression.
“I’d never seen any issues in the area, but it concerned us a lot,” he said.
“We took a chance [on purchasing the house] and this is how it’s worked out.”
One local said their 12-year-old granddaughter wasn’t allowed to visit a park across the road from the house and said news of the seizure was comforting.
“It’s a relief to know she can be safe around the area.”
Local Thomas John said gang pads give neighbourhoods a bad impression. Photo / NZME
Robert, who did not want his full name used, lives across the road from the house and said he would get “not nice” looks from gang members.
“I hope the street perception changes after this,” he said.
The High Court found it was an inescapable conclusion that funding came from “significant criminal activity”, including drug dealing and unlicensed gaming machines.
Detective Inspector Craig Hamilton, manager of asset recovery units, said police have dealt “another blow” to organised crime with the release of the judgment.
“Police remain firmly focused on targeting and disrupting organised criminal activity on a number of fronts and today’s decision reflects that.
“This is a great result for the community.”
Hamilton said police will continue to hunt out the proceeds of crime. The Police Commissioner has also applied to seek the confiscation of the gang’s East Auckland chapter headquarters in Ellerslie.
This forfeiture hearing will take place late next year.
