Police executed more than 10 search warrants across Christchurch, including at the Christchurch chapter of the King Cobras’ Addington pad, two weeks ago.
Six people were arrested and charged, and after a parallel investigation Police’s Southern Asset Recovery Unit was granted a Restraining Order under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009.
In a statement this evening Detective Inspector Rebecca Cotton said the restraint of the $4.8m worth of property, vehicles and cash would help stop criminal groups from harming local communities.
“One of the primary reasons that organised crime groups exist is to make money, and these restraints represent significant capital that otherwise would have continued to benefit the group and create further harm to the community, until now,” Cotton said.
She said the "thorough, months-long" Operation Shelby showed the extent of how far police will go "to prevent harm and ensure our community feels safe and is safe".
Two further search warrants led to four properties, 27 vehicles – including jetskis, motorbikes and a caravan – and more than $100,000 cash being restrained.
Detective Inspector Maania Piahana said the restrained assets were gained by the criminal group from illegal activities "that have caused serious harm to the local community".
“Police are and will continue to consider any methods to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups like this and strip them, and their associates, of their illegitimate wealth,” Piahana said.
“The previous arrests, and these restraints, are the outcomes of extensive work and collaboration invested by the staff and workgroups who spent time piecing these operations together, and I would like to acknowledge their efforts.”
- Allied Media
