Friday, 10 Oct 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • 🔥
  • Trump
  • VIDEO
  • House
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > World News > Queenstown property linked to black market tobacco sting
World News

Queenstown property linked to black market tobacco sting

Last updated: September 13, 2024 8:09 pm
Share
Queenstown property linked to black market tobacco sting
SHARE
Law enforcement authorities are taking action to confiscate nine properties in various locations in New Zealand, including Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown, due to their alleged involvement in a black market tobacco operation.

The total value of these properties, which are currently under a High Court restraining order, is estimated to be around $5.7 million based on council rating valuations.

The restraining order also covers any other assets owned by an individual facing charges related to Customs fraud and tobacco offenses, as well as two companies of which he is a director.

The individual in question is scheduled to appear in court later this month in Christchurch. He is facing multiple charges under the Customs and Excise Act 2018, including burglary, following a police and Customs raid on an illegal cigarette factory in Christchurch three months ago.

During the raid, authorities seized 408kg of tobacco and over 11,000 cigarettes, alleging that the operation was an attempt to evade more than $850,000 in tobacco taxes.

The accused individual has been charged with offenses such as unlicensed manufacture of tobacco products, defrauding Customs revenue, and importation of prohibited goods.

In the meantime, the police have initiated civil action to take control of the individual’s real estate properties under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009, which allows assets tainted by significant criminal activity to be forfeited to the Crown.

One of the properties subject to the restraining order is located in Russley, Christchurch, with a rateable valuation of $660,000. This property serves as the registered office of Shez Property Ltd, a company of which the accused individual is a director.

See also  Emerging market equity funds lure investors fleeing overvalued U.S. assets

Shez Property Ltd owns the Russley house and all other properties implicated in the restraining order issued by the High Court at Christchurch.

The seizure of assets under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act typically involves a two-stage process, starting with a restraining order to prevent asset disposal, followed by a forfeiture order to transfer ownership to the Crown.

Apart from real estate, assets such as bank accounts, vehicles, and jewelry can also be seized under this law if they are believed to have been acquired through criminal means.

The properties targeted in this case include houses and apartments in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, and Queenstown. Some of these properties are subject to mortgages issued by various financial institutions.

The police’s application for the restraining order was supported by extensive evidence, leading Justice Jonathan Eaton to approve the order based on suspicions of unlawful gains from criminal activity.

The investigation leading to the raid in June was prompted by an alleged burglary at a warehouse in Christchurch and subsequently uncovered a significant amount of tobacco, cigarette manufacturing equipment, and cash.

This ongoing case underscores the authorities’ efforts to combat illegal activities and uphold the law in New Zealand.

TAGGED:BlackLinkedmarketpropertyQueenstownstingtobacco
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article The White Sox — 81 games under .500! — are piling up mind-blowing numbers for the ages The White Sox — 81 games under .500! — are piling up mind-blowing numbers for the ages
Next Article Jennifer Garner’s Transformation Gallery: Before & After Photos Jennifer Garner’s Transformation Gallery: Before & After Photos
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

Trump’s Trade War Has Shattered Consumer Confidence

Americans are feeling increasingly pessimistic about the economy due to President Donald Trump's trade war…

April 12, 2025

How Donor Collaboratives Can Support The Care Movement

The demand for reliable and accessible in-home care for older Americans is on the rise,…

May 16, 2025

Caitlin Clark to return from injury; our 2025 college football Hot Seat Rankings; NFL All-Quarter Century Team

The rankings provide a fascinating look at the pressure-cooker world of college football coaching, where…

July 9, 2025

NZ pilot Philip Mehrtens freed from captivity in West Papua

New Zealand aviator Phillip Mehrtens has finally been released after being held captive for over…

September 20, 2024

Fantasy Cricket Tips, Today’s Playing 11 and Pitch Report for ECN Mdina Cup T20I 2025, Match 2

The upcoming match in the ECN Mdina Cup T20I 2025 will feature Portugal (POR) facing…

May 29, 2025

You Might Also Like

Mystery New Yorker kicks ‘cheating husband,’ his plants to the curb with viral, savage note on Upper West Side
World News

Mystery New Yorker kicks ‘cheating husband,’ his plants to the curb with viral, savage note on Upper West Side

October 10, 2025
NY AG Letitia James using Hunter Biden’s ex-defense attorney to fight bombshell federal indictment
World News

NY AG Letitia James using Hunter Biden’s ex-defense attorney to fight bombshell federal indictment

October 10, 2025
Rutgers professor signs petition to oust Turning Point USA from campus
World News

Rutgers professor signs petition to oust Turning Point USA from campus

October 10, 2025
Katie Porter verbally abused then-husband in explicit tirade: ‘F–king idiot,’ and ‘too f–king dumb’ to operate a phone, court docs say
World News

Katie Porter verbally abused then-husband in explicit tirade: ‘F–king idiot,’ and ‘too f–king dumb’ to operate a phone, court docs say

October 10, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?