Four Auckland properties valued at about $36 million have been restrained under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act following a two-year investigation linked to the death of a young man who unknowingly drank meth-laced beer.
The civil proceedings, launched this week by the Commissioner of Police, target five individuals and one company connected to the Honey Bear methamphetamine-laced beer manslaughter and drug importation case, also known as Operation Lavender.
The investigation’s second phase, focusing on civil asset recovery, began after the death of 21-year-old Aiden Sagala in March 2023. Sagala died after consuming liquid methamphetamine disguised as a can of Honey House Beer, part of a wider methamphetamine shipment imported from Canada.
Operation Lavender ultimately led to the seizure of more than 700 kilograms of methamphetamine — the largest single seizure of the drug in New Zealand history. Two people were subsequently charged.
Detective Inspector Chris Allan, of the Financial Crime Group, said the investigation uncovered a clandestine laboratory and hundreds of kilograms of stockpiled methamphetamine.
“Through extensive financial investigation, our team has now restrained an estimated $36 million in residential and commercial rural properties across Whitford, Totora Heights, Karaka and Bombay.”
Allan described transnational organised crime groups as sophisticated business entities, adept not only in criminal activity but also in laundering their funds.
“This restraint represents significant capital that otherwise would have been at the disposal of the group to carry out further drug imports and create harm in the community.”
Police praised the combined efforts of the Financial Crime Group, Auckland City District Police, the National Clan Lab Response Team, NZ Customs, and the financial sector in piecing together the investigation.
“Police will continue to strip criminals of their assets and profits through organised crime investigations.”
Himatjit Singh Kahlon, 42, was sentenced to 21 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter and possession for supply of methamphetamine. Another man, who has permanent name suppression, received a 22-year sentence for multiple drug offences, including importing and supplying methamphetamine.
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