A property occupied by the son of a former gang boss has been seized following a large police operation in Kawerau today.<\/p>\n
Police said it took possession of a property forfeited following a court process under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009, with the support of Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).<\/p>\n
Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow, Bay of Plenty District criminal investigations manager, said the property was occupied by the son of a former Mongrel Mob Kawerau president, who was arrested as part of Operation Notus in 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 2018 operation was launched to target the distribution of methamphetamine by the Kawerau chapter of the Mongrel Mob,\u201d Pilbrow said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than 50 arrests were made in Operation Notus, with over $4 million in assets restrained.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time, this operation significantly disrupted a group of people who were causing a significant amount of harm to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
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A 34-year-old man was arrested during today\u2019s operation and will appear in the Rotorua High Court later today for contempt of court.<\/p>\n
Police said it would continue to have an increased presence in the Newall St area while staff helped MBIE to safely take possession of the property.<\/p>\n
Pilbrow said police remained committed to targeting assets that were obtained by criminal behaviour.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to reassure our communities that police will also continue to target and disrupt groups and individuals that align themselves with those who profit from the proceeds of crime.<\/p>\n