Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Police have seized about $680,000 worth of assets following the conviction of a New Plymouth man on drug manufacturing and supply charges.
Earlier this month, the High Court at New Plymouth ordered that Marlon John Bird hand over assets including a property, a 2014 Ford Ranger, more than $100,000 in cash and more than $36,000 held in bank accounts.
In November 2022, Bird was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment in relation to drug offending in 2019 and 2021.
Central Asset Recovery Unit Detective Sergeant Sam Buckley said the investigation into Bird's activities continued after the sentencing.
"Our investigation established the man's assets were derived through unlawful and illicit means, allowing him to live a lifestyle beyond legitimate means."
On 8 September, the court issued the forfeiture order.
Buckley said once forfeited to the Crown, the assets would be used within the community, for projects such as those aimed at reducing methamphetamine harm in Taranaki.
In 2019, an investigation into the manufacturing and distribution of illicit drugs resulted in Police executing two search warrants.
The National Clandestine Laboratories Response Team located eight LSD tablets, 94 grams of methamphetamine, and 82 grams of cannabis.
About $56,000 cash was found hidden around the property.
While this investigation continued, another was launched in 2021 by the New Plymouth Criminal Investigation Branch.
One night in April, an unconscious woman was brought to New Plymouth police station by a taxi driver.
Police spoke to a man at the property where she had been picked up from, who later admitted giving the woman GHB that had been mixed with alcoholic drink.
The address was searched, locating more than $45,000 cash, and a scene examination conducted.
Police located a series of items, and it was determined they were used in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine.
Central District field crime manager Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey said the case sent a clear message.
"We want the community to know we are committed to identifying and apprehending those who manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and other controlled drugs.
Bouterey said the seizures were the result of sustained efforts to disrupt the supply of controlled drugs in the community and dismantle the financial incentives that drove this type of offending.
"We will continue to put resources into these investigations and ensure that any profits or assets gained through criminal activity are taken from those responsible."
Methamphetamine caused significant harm to individuals, their families, and communities, and police would not tolerate those who seek to profit from that harm, Bouterey said.
