"We have what we term toys - the motorcycles and cars - but we also see some practical items being purchased."
Detective Superintendent Devoy did not want to speculate on what a drug lord might do with a construction digger.
"But again, as cash or money accumulates, you've got to spend it on something. None of it surprises me.
"The drug economy is very much a cash economy, and it's a matter of then either moving the cash into assets which aren't necessary obvious, or legitimising it through laundering."
He said seizing the assets was having an impact on drug crime.
"If they can't re-invest in crime, business starts to get harder."
If a suspect is convicted, the assets are sold. Some of the money raised goes to drug-enforcement agencies, and some to general government business.
A spokesman for Justice Minister Simon Power said the fund for fighting illegal drugs was still being set up in consultation with the Justice Ministry and the Department of Prime Minister and Treasury, and was unlikely to be established before the election.
What was seized
* Art collection 1
* Boats 5
* Bonus Bonds 4
* Cars/vans/4WDs 74
* Cash/bank accounts 91
* Commercial properties 5
* Farms/orchards 6
* Furniture and effects 3
* Jewellery including precious metals and gemstones 7
* Lifestyle blocks 10
* Motorcycles 30
* Plant and equipment 13
* Residential properties 42.
