But those arrested and deported following Operation Beryl were mostly \u201ccrop sitters\u201d sitting at the bottom of the criminal hierarchy.<\/p>\n
So the National Organised Crime Group, a specialist division of police with ring-fenced staff, were tasked with investigating the so-called \u201cfacilitators\u201d pulling the strings in the commercial cannabis industry.<\/p>\n
Described as \u201ccriminal entrepreneurs\u201d in a recent police intelligence briefing released under the Official Information Act, \u201cfacilitators\u201d specialise in specific aspects of the supply chain and were often linked to several Vietnamese organised crime groups.<\/p>\n
Detective Senior Sergeant John Brunton, the officer in charge of the most recent investigation, said police had taken their time to investigate the syndicate and build a picture of its network – alleged to be one of the largest of its kind.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice are alleging that those arrested during Operation Blackout are members of a syndicate that facilitate cannabis grow operations for their profit. They operated two warehouses in Auckland that supplied equipment and arranged financing for the grow houses,\u201d Brunton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey also assisted with securing rental properties, electrical work and arranged crop sitters at the various Auckland addresses.\u201d<\/p>\n
The alleged kingpin of the syndicate is a 36-year-old man from the south Auckland suburb of Flat Bush. <\/p>\n
He faces charges of participating in an organised criminal group, money laundering, supplying equipment used in cannabis cultivation and possession of cannabis for supply.<\/p>\n
Companies Office records show the alleged kingpin is the sole director and shareholder of two garden supply businesses, as well as a nail salon in Auckland.<\/p>\n
Vietnamese organised crime groups start businesses in industries such as construction, beauty and hospitality to launder the profits of their criminal enterprises, according to a recent police intelligence briefing released under the Official Information Act.<\/p>\n
Police have arrested twelve people following a long running investigation into an Auckland cannabis growth syndicate. Photo \/ NZ Police<\/p>\n
In a written statement to the Herald, Brunton said the investigation will now focus on alleged unexplained cash deposits into the bank accounts of the two businesses which allegedly supplied the cannabis growing equipment.<\/p>\n
He also confirmed a search warrant was conducted at a nail salon business in Auckland where financial records were seized for further investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are still in the early stages of quantifying the value of funds believed to have been laundered,\u201d Brunton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, financial analysis, supported by other investigative evidence, indicates the use of money laundering typologies consistent with the concealment and movement of proceeds derived from alleged cannabis cultivation offending.\u201d<\/p>\n
The police intelligence briefing also states that Vietnamese organised crime groups have \u201calmost certainly\u201d exploited immigration pathways to enable their offending.<\/p>\n