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.

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.