Police have seized an estimated $513 million in illegally obtained cash and assets from gangs and criminals over the past four years. Photo / NZME
Police have seized an estimated $513 million in illegally obtained cash and assets from gangs and criminals over the past four years. Photo / NZME
Ill-gotten gains seized from gangs and criminals by police are being used to help those impacted by their actions.
In the past four years, police have seized an estimated $513 million in illegally obtained cash and assets.
The cash and assets seized become proceeds of crime and will be redistributed back into "positive community projects", assistant commissioner investigations Lauano Sue Schwalger said.
This includes $3.15 million for mental health and addiction treatment services in the Eastern Police District.
She said police's job was to make criminal activity less profitable, and less appealing.
"Our goal was to hit $500 million by June 30, and in doing so we know we have had a direct and significant impact on organised crime – an activity that feeds on greed, profits, and harm to the community.
"It is money that provides criminals with power and influence, but it is also proving to be their biggest vulnerability."
Chris Jenkins, of Kia Tipu Te Ora Trust in Hastings, supported proceeds from crime being redistributed back to communities impacted by addiction. Photo / Paul Taylor
Chris Jenkins works as a counsellor at Kia Tipu Te Ora Trust in Hastings, helping those impacted by addiction.
He said money taken from those "peddling the stuff" being given to support services was a "wonderful investment", as people needed professional services to help overcome addiction.
"I'm hugely against drugs but I absolutely believe addiction needs to be treated as a health issue.
"Often when someone finds their way into the web of addiction, it doesn't mean they are a bad person ... they may have just made some bad decisions."
He noted it was not just gangs, but other organised criminal groups, and wanted to look at legislation to prevent organised crime members putting their assets into trusts or associates' names to stop it being seized.