GOVT WILL TAKE $1.5M FROM DRUG TRAFFICKERS

WELLINGTON -- Cash and assets worth more than $1.5 million seized from drug
traffickers would be paid to the Crown, Justice Minister Phil Goff said
yesterday.

Mr Goff said he had made the order under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

"The biggest haul was $626,257 worth of property and cash seized from
members of the Tribesmen motorcycle gang, convicted of drugs and money
laundering offences," he said in a statement.

"Among the property the convicted gang members have had to forfeit to the
Crown were four Harley Davidson motorcycles and a staggering $406,870 in
cash found at a residence."

Mr Goff said another forfeiture order related to two people convicted of
drug-related offences and yielded almost $600,000 in vehicles, cash and
real estate.

"The remainder of the $1.5 million is made up of four other forfeiture
orders against people all convicted of drug-related crimes," he said.

"The drugs being pushed by the traffickers included LSD, methamphetamine
and fantasy as well as cannabis. The offenders received prison sentences of
between two and 13 years."

Mr Goff said confiscation of assets derived from crime was "absolutely
essential" to the message that those who peddled drugs should not profit
from their crimes.

"There is some satisfaction in knowing that instead of contributing to the
lifestyle of criminals this money will now be used for the general good in
areas such as health and education," he said.

National's police spokesman Tony Ryall said the minister should not gloat.

"This is a pathetic amount compared with the tens of millions of dollars
gangs are making from drug dealing," he said.

"Phil Goff should be embarrassed that's all the community can get back from
these lowlifes."

Mr Ryall said National would revamp the Act to give police a stronger
weapon in their war against organised crime.