About $240,000 seized from a crashed car in Eketahuna last year will be used to address drug and crime-related harm.
On April 20 last year, police pursued a silver Volkswagon travelling north of State Highway 2 near Eketahuna.
The pursuit was abandoned due to the Volkswagen’s excessive speed, and the vehicle subsequently crashed on the corner of State Highway 2 and Mangaoranga Rd.
In and around the car, police seized a blue carry bag containing 725.9 grams of methamphetamine, separated into 10 ziplock bags, and $229,360 in cash, belonging to the driver, Abd Allah Abd Allah.
Police also seized an additional $10,459.70 from him and his then-girlfriend, who was a passenger.
Under a search warrant, police seized their phones and extracted data that indicated Abd Allah was involved in the sale and supply of methamphetamine and other significant criminal activity involving guns and drugs.
He faces 16 charges, has pleaded guilty, and is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
In a recent High Court decision , Judge Matthew Palmer ruled that the money seized from the incident would be forfeited under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009).
When Abd Allah was told of the forfeiture application, he did not file any notice of opposition.
He told police “the money would be better off in the community”, Judge Palmer said.
Money forfeited under the Act goes into the Proceeds of Crime Fund.
The purpose of the fund is to address organised crime harm and drug-related harm.
Initiatives are submitted to the fund and are selected based on whether they fit the criteria of: expanding alcohol and drug treatment services; fighting organised crime groups dealing with methamphetamine and other drugs; addressing mental health issues in the criminal justice system; and improving community wellbeing.
