GOVERNMENT REVIEWING DRUG-ASSETS LAW

The Government has begun a review of laws which have so far allowed it to
seize more than $1.5 million from drug traffickers as part of a crackdown
on crime.

Justice Minister Phil Goff said the cash and assets confiscated from gang
members and other criminals convicted of drug-related offences had been
deposited into the Government's consolidated accounts.

There was satisfaction in knowing money created through crime would now be
used to help fund services like health and education, he said.

But National MP Tony Ryall criticised the amount seized so far as pathetic,
given the tens of millions of dollars made by drug traffickers in New
Zealand. He said if National were elected, it would revamp the Proceeds of
Crime Act 1991 to give police more power to take all assets owned by the
criminal, rather than just those linked to the crime they were charged with.

Mr Goff said a review of the law had started and was expected to be
completed within 12 months.

He said the review would look at whether police procedures could be made
more straightforward and whether the law could be made more effective in
taking criminal assets.

"But there still needs to be a level of proof before you confiscate
people's assets," he said.

Mr Ryall said if criminals could not prove their cash was clean, the
Government should confiscate it.

"Phil Goff should be embarrassed that's all the community has been able to
get back from these low-lifes," he said.

Mr Goff said Mr Ryall and the National Government had had nine years to
improve the legislation and had not done so.

The Government's take included $626,257 of property and cash from members
of the Tribesman motorcycle gang, as reported in the Herald.

The South Auckland gang members had been convicted of drug offences and
money-laundering.

The assets, which included four Harley-Davidson motorbikes and $406,870 in
cash, were seized three years ago in police raids but the money has only
now gone into the Government's consolidated fund.

A further $600,000 in cars, cash and real estate has been forfeited by two
other drug-sellers. The final $275,000 was taken from four other criminals
with drug convictions.

Mr Goff said the drugs involved were LSD, methamphetamine, Fantasy and
cannabis.

The criminals would serve between two and 13 years in prison.