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Police involved in Operation Chestnut pictured with a catamaran seized in Wellington last week.
A jet ski and a yacht were among the items seized from a Marlborough Sounds property during the massive police raid called Operation Chestnut.
The police investigation into a sophisticated drug trafficking and money laundering operation began 10 months ago and ended last week with 18 search warrants executed in the Tasman, Wellington, Central Police Districts and Eastern.
This included a raid on a property in the outer strait of Te Hoiere Pelorus, the Marlborough Express understand.
A police spokesperson this week confirmed that five guns, a jet ski, a yacht and other items were seized from the Marlborough Sounds property.
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However, the spokesperson said he was unable to say more about Marlborough’s connection to the case as it was now in court.
Seven people were arrested, including a 44-year-old policeman from Horowhenua, described as the “main alleged offender” with ties to the Filthy Few, Hells Angels, Head Hunters, Black Power and Mongrel Mob gangs. He was charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and illegal possession of weapons.
Three Tasman men – aged 44, 50, 53 – as well as a 36-year-old man, a 54-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman from Horowhenua, were also arrested.
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Police seized $ 500,000 in cash, including this package hidden in dog food from a Wellington property.
Among the $ 3.5 million in assets seized by police in Wellington, Himatangi and Horopito were a catamaran located in Wellington, classic cars and a motorbike, 14 other guns, methamphetamine and around $ 500,000. cash. This included piles of $ 50 bills stashed in a dog food bag.
A search at Horowhenua also found 60 mature cannabis plants and 4 kilograms of packaged cannabis valued at approximately $ 40,000.
Detective Inspector Paul Baskett said the operation reflected a commitment to disrupt and dismantle drug networks.
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Police recovered a total of 19 firearms during their raids on 18 properties in four police districts.
“This type of offense undermines the well-being of our communities by creating significant social harm,†Baskett said.
“Police will continue to target those who illegally accumulate property and wealth through the sale of illicit drugs. “
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