It’s been a lucrative week for the New Zealand Police, with $3.5 million in assets seized following execution of several search warrants in the central regions of the country.
Operation Chestnut targeted meth supply and manufacturing, and associated offending. It began on Wednesday with the arrest of a 44 year old man with extensive gang connections from Horowhenua. He is facing a total of 12 charges, including possession of methamphetamine for supply, conspiring to deal methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon and money laundering.
On Thursday further search warrants were executed at properties in Horowhenua, Himatangi, Horopito, Marlborough Sounds and Wellington. As a result six more arrests were made, of a 53 year old woman, and the rest males, aged 36, 44, 50, 53 and 54.
The seized assets included a catamaran, yacht, leisure boat, jet ski, motorbike and classic cars, as well as 19 firearms, methamphetamine and about $500,000 cash (portion pictured above).
