The Organised and Financial Crime Agency New Zealand was set up in 2008. According to its website OFCANZ "takes a strategic approach to disrupting organised crime, working with information and resources from across government."
OFCANZ scored a big hit yesterday; the Herald reports:
More than $3 million in assets including a Ferrari, Porsche and Maserati were seized when 29 search warrants were executed across the country yesterday.
Eight suspects were arrested in the raids, following the termination of a lengthy investigation into the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine in the Auckland region, code named Operation Genoa.
The raids also led to the seizure of five properties, more than $2 million in cash, gold bullion, silver ingots and a 30 foot launch.
Organised and Financial Crime Agency New Zealand (OFCANZ) Detective Inspector Bruce Good said 29 search warrants were executed at properties in Auckland, rural south Auckland and Nelson.
"A substantial amount of methamphetamine was recovered at a rural property in Miranda 80 kilometres south-east of Auckland."
As the warrant was being executed one of the suspects escaped, and was apprehended less than two hours later, Mr Good said.
Police dogs were used to capture the man and as a result he suffered minor dog bite injuries.
He was treated by ambulance staff at the scene and later taken to Auckland Hospital for treatment. He is still in hospital and expected to be released into custody either later today or tomorrow, Mr Good said.
The eight suspects arrested will face a range of charges including manufacturing methamphetamine, money laundering, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon, obtaining a false documents and participating in an organised criminal group.
Two of those apprehended were senior patched members of the Head Hunters gang.
Mr Good said the group were running a sophisticated methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
This is a terrific bust of a significant methamphetamine operation, and we applaud OFCANZ and the various agencies involved. The sheer scale of the drug operation is mind-boggling; read on:
"Our intelligence indicates they were producing in excess of $1 million worth of methamphetamine at a time which gives an indication as to the size of the market they were supplying."
"In total we have recovered approximately half a kilogram of methamphetamine and 6 kilograms of precursor drugs and chemicals during Operation Genoa. This would have a combined street value of in excess of $3.5 million."
The seizure of significant assets such as luxury cars, gold bullion and properties in Auckland, rural south Auckland and Nelson was particularly satisfying, Mr Good said.
Regular readers will be only too aware that we have no time whatsoever for criminal gangs, especially those who prey on drug addicts. We hope that enough evidence has been gathered to convict those arrested yesterday, and to have them imprisoned for a decent time period, away from the luxury homes and vehicles that were the fruits of their alleged offending.
Well done OFCANZ; keep up the good work!
