Police have frozen $4.8 million worth of property, vehicles and cash in a major Christchurch bust.

It follows the arrest of 6 people two weeks ago, after police executed more than 10 search warrants across the city, including at the Christchurch King Cobra chapter’s Addington pad.

Detective Inspector Rebecca Cotton said police were granted a court order under the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act, preventing the assets from being sold or transferred while the case progresses.

“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.

“This thorough, month’s long, operation shows the extent of how far we will go to prevent harm and ensure our community feels safe and is safe.”

Over the past 10 days, police executed 2 further search warrants.

Police have frozen 4 properties, 27 vehicles, including jet skis, motorbikes and a caravan, and more than $100,000 cash.

Southern Asset Recovery Unit Detective Inspector Maania Piahana said the assets were allegedly linked to unlawful activity.

 

“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.

“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.”

Anyone with information or concerns about drug related offending, or any other offending, was asked to contact police.