The cigarette packaging contained no health warnings, which are required for all cigarettes sold in New Zealand.
A check with Customs confirmed there was no record of Liu ever paying duty or GST on imported cigarettes or tobacco.
Police also found Liu’s phone, which contained images of people gambling with large sums of cash, and a “tick list” that appeared to show money owed to Liu by gamblers.
Liu’s activities were detailed in a High Court decision by Justice Ian Gault on an application by the Commissioner of Police to have the money forfeited to the Crown.
The Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act allows the forfeiture of money gained from significant criminal activity.
“The Commissioner’s case is that Mr Liu operates illegal mahjong gambling games, from which he earns money, and during which he sells uncustomed cigarettes and offers credit to gamblers,” Justice Gault said.
The decision said Liu had admitted to police that the cash was proceeds of mahjong gambling at a Chinese restaurant in Newmarket, of which he claimed to be a part-owner.
Police inquiries with the Department of Internal Affairs confirmed no record of a gambling licence being issued to any society or promoter of mahjong gambling in the Newmarket area.
The decision said that Liu had previously admitted to police he had been involved in “loan-sharking”.
“He is not, and there is no record that he has ever been, a registered financial services provider, nor has he declared any such earnings to Inland Revenue,” Justice Gault said.
However, the decision also said no charges were laid against Liu in relation to the search at his home.
Despite being given the opportunity to engage a lawyer, Liu had not opposed the forfeiture application.
When he met a detective at his home last month, he told him, “just take it”.
Justice Gault ordered the money be forfeited.
