New Zealand Police’s Waikato / Bay of Plenty Asset Recovery Unit has successfully forfeited a significant number of assets from the Taupo-based Midlands Rebels gang president, following his arrest and subsequent conviction as part of Operation Ulysses – an investigation conducted by the Rotorua Organised Crime Unit in 2019.
The Rotorua High Court has ordered the forfeiture of assets under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 (CPRA) from James Duff, who was sentenced late last year to 15 years in jail for his lead role in a drug distribution ring.
He was convicted of 31 charges including the supply of methamphetamine, ecstasy, cannabis and LSD, unlawful possession of a firearm, perverting the course of justice and participation in an organised criminal group. An analysis of Duff’s financial affairs established he unlawfully benefited from his criminal activity to the value of $1,115,715.
The assets forfeited are:
- A 6.3 hectare lifestyle property in Wairakei, Taupo.
- 2007 Holden Commodore Clubsport
- 2013 Ford Ranger utility
- Continental Chevrolet Impala
- 2012 Harley Davidson Night Rod motorcycle
- 2007 Harley Davidson V-Rod motorcycle
- 2002 Harley Davidson V-Rod motorcycle
- 2001 Harley Davidson Softail motorcycle
- Yamaha Waverunner Supercharged jet ski and trailer
- More than $190,000 from bank accounts
- Three pieces of jewellery valued at nearly $35,000
The assets have a total value of $1,200,000. The money and sale of these items will be put into the Proceeds of Crime Fund, from which agencies can make application to fund crime prevention as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation initiatives.
The CPRA was enacted in 2009 so that New Zealand Police could pursue assets and hold people to account so they do not benefit from proceeds of crime, in this case the significant supply of drugs to our communities often causing irreparable harm to individuals and their families.
‘Organised crime is all about money, and Police are focused on targeting the proceeds of that crime. This proceeding is an excellent result and in particular for the Taupo and Bay of Plenty communities,’ said Detective Senior Sergeant Keith Kay, Waikato / Bay of Plenty Asset Recovery Unit.
‘The Asset Recovery Unit is focused on targeting any individuals who think that they will profit from crime and cause harm and destruction in our communities.
‘Police are seeking help from the community to identify illicit proceeds obtained from crime. If anyone has any information which would assist Police they are encouraged to report that information in confidence either to their local Police station or via Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111.’
Good job
So…these ‘assets’ have been seized…
Who will bid on these? No doubt government LE types.
That’s what is happening in the U.S. under ‘Search, Seizure and Sheriff’s Asset Auctions.
That is why a cop on $45K per year in the U.S. can afford to drive around in high end luxury cars and top of the line sports cars.
Not to mention the fact that the rightful owners will probably never get these back-at least not in the U.S., where the cost to go to court exceeds what the cars, cash and assets are worth.
Watch for more of this globally as governments exhaust their sources of income, and then loot the treasuries before total collapse.
BRICS will be announced 23 August 2023, and that is when the U.S. Reserve Dollar currency will become Weimar Republic currency, via hyper inflation.
What is kept quiet are the number of ‘Search, Seizure & Forfeiture’ victims who, having had everything stolen from them (oftentimes without a warrant from the courts…) by the Sheriffs, Police, & Feds are attacking the Sheriff’s offices and Police stations in retaliation to the ‘legal thefts’. Cyber-locked doors are no match for dynamite sticks, contraband C-4 and Barrett .50 cal sniper rifles.
Many victims break into the holding yards and steal their property back. LE then gets the message that if they were to go to the residence of the property owner, they do so at a very great risk to themselves.
Some States have enacted laws to put a stop to the whimsical seizures and ‘property theft on the roadside’ as a result of being stopped.
Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana are States to be avoided when traveling in the U.S.!
I know that when I was there five years ago, whenever a motorist was pulled over, soon an entire group of armed citizens would appear to monitor the situation after the motorist put out a call to a Cop Watch Network near them.
And the Cop Watch group are pro-Constitution, pro-gun and anti-seizure types.
Bubba the Sheriff, Bulldog the Police Chief, Roscoe P. Coultrane and his dog Flash have been put on notice- STOP THE ILLEGAL SEIZURES AND FORFEITURES OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES!