A quantity of methamphetamine. (File pic) Photo: Supplied / Customs and Border Protection
Four Auckland properties worth $36 million have been seized under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 after a two-year investigation.
This week, the Commissioner of Police began civil proceedings pursuant to the Act against five people and one company connected to the Honey Bear methamphetamine-laced beer manslaughter and drug importation investigation, also known as Operation Lavender.
The second part of the probe, which involves taking over civil assets, began after the death of Aiden Sagala in 2023.
Sagala, 21, had unwittingly consumed liquid meth, disguised as a can of Honey House Beer, and died on 7 March 2023.
Auckland officers set up Operation Lavender to investigate his death and the wider shipment of meth, which had been imported from Canada.
Eventually they seized more than 700 kilograms of methamphetamine, the largest ever single seizure of the drug in this country.
As a result, two people were charged.
Himatjit Singh Kahlon, 42, was sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment for manslaughter and possession for supply of methamphetamine.
Another man, who has permanent name suppression, was sentenced to 22 years' imprisonment for multiple drugs offences including possession for supply of methamphetamine and importing methamphetamine.
Clandestine laboratory found
Detective Inspector Chris Allan, of the Financial Crime Group, said inquiries led to the discovery of a clandestine laboratory and hundreds of kilos of stockpiled methamphetamine imports.
"Through extensive financial investigation and analysis our team has now restrained an estimated $36 million in real estate property alleged to be connected with the importation and supply of methamphetamine.
"These properties are a mix of residential and commercial rural properties across the Whitford, Totora Heights, Karaka and Bombay areas."
Detective Inspector Allan said transnational organised crime groups were sophisticated business entities, not only for their criminal activities but also how they laundered their funds.
"Given the scale of this criminal enterprise, this proceeding is an indication of the determination New Zealand police have to investigate, disrupt and dismantle organised crime.
"This restraint represents significant capital that otherwise would have been at the disposal of the group to carry out further drug imports and create further harm in the community, until now."
Police were focused on stripping criminals of their assets and profits through organised crime.
Allan praised the contributions of the financial crime group, Auckland City District police, the national clan lab response team, NZ Customs, and the financial sector.
"Police will investigate these instances and look to remove the unlawful benefits from those who engage in significant criminal activity," he said.
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