Six people across Auckland have been arrested and millions of dollars' worth of properties and luxury vehicles have been seized, after a year-long police investigation into money laundering.
Photo: NZ Police
Officers carried out searches across Auckland today.
Those arrested are four men and two women, ranging in age from 29 - 65 years old. They have all been charged with money laundering offences.
Police have seized three Auckland properties in Te Atatū, Half Moon Bay and New Lynn worth at least $3.3 million in value.
Police also seized seven high-end luxury vehicles including a Lamborghini Huracan worth about $450,000, a boat and a Mercedes G wagon.
A boat seized by police during the operation. Photo: NZ Police
About $250,000 in cash was also located and restrained during the search warrants.
Detective Superintendent Iain Chapman said the group targeted was a professional money laundering service which was disguised in semi-legitimate businesses.
He said today's operation focused on the key people within the money laundering group, but police have also been targeting those who are injecting the cash into the system.
A Lamborghini Huracan worth about $450,000 was also seized in police searches across Auckland today. Photo: Supplied / Police
The group sent money to financial services in New Zealand or overseas, and generally the money went into financial networks within New Zealand and a significant amount of money was sent to China, he said.
Chapman was not prepared to say whether or not those arrested today were New Zealand citizens.
He commended the investigators saying they worked through the lockdowns.
Police said inquiries were ongoing and they were unable to rule out further charges.
Money Laundering carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.
Most of those charged will be appearing in the Auckland District Court tomorrow.