Key Takeaways
- A Wellington methamphetamine dealer, Wayne Namana, has been ordered to forfeit $653,000 in profits from his criminal activities.
- The order was granted under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act, which allows assets to be taken from individuals involved in significant criminal activity.
- Namana’s children, Chanel and Merepeka, also face seizures of their assets due to their involvement in their father’s criminal syndicate.
- The seizures are part of a larger effort by police to target organised crime groups and reduce their illegitimate wealth.
Introduction to the Case
The Wellington methamphetamine dealer, Wayne Namana, has been dealt a significant blow after a court ordered him to forfeit $653,000 in profits from his criminal activities. This move comes as part of a larger effort by police to target organised crime groups and reduce their illegitimate wealth. Namana, who is now 67 years old, was previously sentenced to five years and seven months in jail for his role in heading a network that sold and supplied methamphetamine in Wairarapa. The recent court order is a result of a separate investigation aimed at seizing Namana’s assets, which was brought before Justice Dale La Hood.
The Impact of Methamphetamine on Communities
Detective Sergeant Alex Macdonald highlighted the harmful impact of methamphetamine on communities, particularly in smaller areas like Wairarapa. "Methamphetamine causes serious harm to our communities, and has a particularly harmful impact in smaller communities, like the Wairarapa," Macdonald said. The harm caused by methamphetamine is not limited to the individuals who use the drug, but also affects their families and the community as a whole. Namana’s actions, which enriched him at the expense of the community, have been described as lining his pockets with misery and suffering.
Assets to be Seized
The court order against Namana includes the forfeiture of a significant amount of assets, valued at $653,000. So far, Namana has made a settlement valued at around $240,000, which includes forfeiting a property in Masterton, cash, money from bank accounts, seven vehicles, seven motorbikes, and a payment of $91,000. However, police believe that Namana may still have other assets that could be seized, potentially totaling an additional $400,000. The seizures are a result of the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act, which allows assets to be taken from individuals involved in significant criminal activity, even if the assets are not directly connected to the crimes.
Involvement of Namana’s Children
Namana’s children, Chanel and Merepeka, were also involved in their father’s criminal syndicate and have been convicted for their roles. Chanel was jailed for six years and four months, while Merepeka was sentenced to nine months’ home detention. Both women have had Profit Forfeiture Orders made against them, which will result in the seizure of their assets. The involvement of family members in criminal activity is a common theme in organised crime cases, and police are working to disrupt these networks and reduce their illegitimate wealth.
Other Individuals Involved
Another individual, Michael Hanna, has also been convicted for his involvement in Namana’s criminal syndicate. Hanna was sentenced to 12 years and eight months in prison for supplying methamphetamine to the group. A $5 million profit forfeiture order has been made against his assets, demonstrating the significant profits that can be made from organised crime. The court orders against Namana, his children, and Hanna send a strong message that police will continue to target organised crime groups and reduce their illegitimate wealth.
Conclusion and Future Efforts
The court orders against Namana and his associates demonstrate the effectiveness of the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act in reducing the gains of organised crime groups. Police will continue to work to disrupt these networks and seize their assets, reducing the temptation to commit crimes for profit. As Macdonald said, "Police will continue to target organised crime offenders through both criminal and civil court jurisdictions." The efforts of police to target organised crime groups will help to reduce the harm caused by methamphetamine and other illicit substances, making communities safer and more resilient.
