‘Stolen to order’: Police raid King Cobra gang pad in crayfish theft probe

Police in Dunedin conducted a raid on a King Cobra gang pad this morning as part of a joint operation targeting an organised crayfish crime ring.

The gang pad was one of three residential/commercial properties where search warrants were carried out across Dunedin at 7am on Wednesday morning, that also targeted two individuals.

As a result, the gang pad is now under a police restraining order.

Police and Fisheries New Zealand have run a months-long investigation into the theft of 3.75 tonnes of commercial crayfish, stolen from a Dunedin business between October 2023 and October 2024.

Operation Larry began in October 2024, and teams from Southern District Organised Crime, Southern Asset Recovery unit and Fisheries New Zealand executed three search warrants across the city.

The warrants were carried out simultaneously.

Police confirmed that one of the warrants was executed at the King Cobra’s David Street pad, which is believed to be linked to the theft.

Police have obtained a restraining order for the King Cobra gang pad under the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act.

“This is theft on a massive scale, with the value of stolen crayfish estimated to be several hundred thousand dollars,” said Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves.

“As a result of our inquiries, we believe the crays were stolen to order.”

The theft was first reported to police in October 2024, and charges were likely, Reeves said.

“We would like to thank our colleagues at Fisheries New Zealand for their invaluable assistance throughout the investigation.

“The offending has had a significant impact on the victims, and the losses to them are huge.”

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