Drug dealer ordered to forfeit assets

A long-running police investigation has brought an end to the lavish lifestyle of Wairarapa drug dealer Wayne Namana, with the High Court ordering the forfeiture of hundreds of thousands of dollars in criminal profits.

On 12 December, Justice Dale La Hood granted a profit forfeiture order totalling $653,000, representing the unlawful benefit police say Namana derived from his drug offending. The order was made under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act following an extensive inquiry by Police’s Asset Recovery Unit.

The 67-year-old has reached a settlement with police and will surrender a Masterton property, seven vehicles, seven motorcycles, bank funds, seized cash, and an additional $91,000 payment. The assets forfeited to date are valued at approximately $240,000.

Police say Namana could still lose up to a further $400,000 if additional assets linked to his criminal activity are identified.

Detective Sergeant Alex Macdonald described the outcome as a significant blow to organised crime, saying Namana had profited directly from harm inflicted on individuals, families, and the wider community.

Namana was jailed in July 2019 for five years and seven months after being convicted of leading a family-based methamphetamine distribution network in the Wairarapa. The operation was uncovered by the Wellington District Organised Crime Unit working alongside Wairarapa Police.

Profit forfeiture orders have already been imposed on two of Namana’s children involved in the syndicate. Chanel Namana received a sentence of six years and four months’ imprisonment, while Merepeka Namana was sentenced to nine months’ home detention. Their supplier, Michael Hanna, was jailed for 12 years and eight months and has also been subject to a profit forfeiture order exceeding $5 million.