A senior Mongrel Mob member has had over $80,000 worth of assets and cash forfeited by the Napier High Court.
Over the past two years, the Police Asset Recovery Unit has taken over $6.6 million worth of property and cash from Mongrel Mob members in the Hawke's Bay region, a police statement says. This includes assets seized from senior members of differing chapters.
"The latest order issued by the Napier High Court comes after a long-running investigation by the Police Asset Recovery Unit into the activities of Mongrel Mob Notorious member Tui Miller," says the statement.
"Two vehicles worth around $50,000 each and $10,000 cash were forfeited."
Miller was arrested in 2019 following a vehicle stop in Havelock North where the cash and around 50 grams of methamphetamine worth around $14,000 were found.
He was taken to Hastings Hospital after saying he felt unwell, which is when he escaped from custody. He was found and arrested in Auckland and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for charges relating to the possession for supply of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis, as well as driving while suspended and escaping custody.
Both vehicles were purchased with money acquired from selling drugs, one of which he registered in his wife's name in an attempt to separate himself from the offending.
"This is another example of police successfully targeting organised crime through both criminal and civil court jurisdictions," Det Sgt Alex Macdonald says. "This will have a direct impact on financial gain, which is one of the primary underlying reasons that organised crime exists."
Businesses are urged to be mindful when accepting large cash payments from gang members.
"At best you are assisting people who are bringing great harm into the community and are potentially participating in a money laundering transaction that you or your business may be criminally liable for," Macdonald says.
The Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 allows police to restrain and forfeit assets acquired or derived from the proceeds of crime.
Once forfeited to the Crown, proceeds will be used for a number of things, such as projects aimed at reducing methamphetamine harm in the community.
