The police say they have had "positive feedback'' from international law enforcement agencies on the way the raid on Megaupload millionaire Kim Dotcom's mansion was carried out.
The latest issue of the New Zealand Police's Ten One magazine features an article with the headline: "Careful planning behind Dotcom swoop''.
It said the operation, which had been planned for months and came after a request by US authorities, reinforced the New Zealand Police's long-standing relationship with international law enforcement agencies.
The police have been accused of being heavy-handed in the raid on Dotcom's $30 million rented mansion at Coatesville at dawn on January 20.
Dotcom's staff and family were rounded up outside the house and police eventually broke into a panic room in the mansion where they found Dotcom, and a gun safe containing a firearm.
Dotcom and three associates were arrested in the raid at the former Chrisco mansion and other properties during the operation that involved up to 70 police, some armed, and including the Special tactics Group and armed offenders squad, and a police helicopter.
Ten search warrants were executed at addresses across Auckland and equipment including computers and documents were seized.
Luxury vehicles were restrained by the Official Assignee, along with artwork, electronic equipment, property and up to $11m in cash.
All four of the arrested men are accused of internet piracy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking to extradite them to the United States to face charges of conspiring to commit racketeering, conspiring to commit money laundering, copyright infringement, and aiding and abetting copyright infringement over the internet through the website Megaupload.
There were simultaneous raids in Australia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States.
The magazine said the New Zealand Police liaison in Washington, Detective Superintendent Mike Pannett, monitored activities around the world from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) multi agency command centre.
"Feedback on the New Zealand operation has been extremely positive from our international law enforcement partners including the FBI and the US Department of Justice,'' he was quoted as saying.
Organised and Financial Crime Agency New Zealand (OFCANZ) taskforce leader Detective Inspector Grant Wormald said that while the operation was led by the FBI, its staff were completely hands-off in New Zealand because they had no jurisdiction to conduct investigations here.
"Our police already have a good reputation for being competent and capable. This operation reinforced our long-standing relationships with international law enforcement agencies, he said.
An OFCANZ team of five picked up the case last September and worked intently to meet their goal of a mid-January termination.
"The level of commitment shown by the OFCANZ investigative team was outstanding. We also benefited from input by staff from several specialist groups who contributed their expertise before and during the termination phase,'' Mr Wormald said.
