Key Takeaways
- Police are monitoring planned travel between Auckland and Foxton, expected to involve gang members, to ensure public safety.
- William "Bird" Hines, a high-ranking member of the Head Hunters gang, has a history of criminal convictions, including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing methamphetamine for supply.
- Hines has been involved in several incidents, including a prolonged attack on a man and possession of large amounts of cash and drugs.
- Police have seized a total of $89,276 in cash from Hines, which has been forfeited to the Crown under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009.
Introduction to the Situation
The police are on high alert as they monitor planned travel between Auckland and Foxton, which is expected to involve gang members. According to Waitematā West area commander Simon Walker, the police are focused on ensuring the safety of the public and road users. Walker stated that the police will be monitoring activity on the roads to ensure safe driving behavior and will be reminding those traveling of acceptable behavior in public spaces. Any observed unsafe or unlawful behavior will result in enforcement action. This comes after the tangi of William "Bird" Hines’ father, which involved a major police presence and hundreds of patched gang members blocking State Highway 1 at times.
The Background of William "Bird" Hines
William "Bird" Hines is a high-ranking member of the Head Hunters gang, with a history of criminal convictions. His convictions include wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing methamphetamine for supply. In January 2009, Hines was jailed along with another man, Daniel Eliu, for a prolonged attack on a man they considered a "nark". At the time, Hines was a Head Hunters gang prospect and was also charged with having a loaded pistol in his possession. The victim was lured to a prearranged rendezvous and subjected to an attack with a Stanley knife, despite protesting his innocence. The attack resulted in the victim receiving slashes across his face, body, and arms.
Recent Incidents Involving Hines
In recent years, Hines has been involved in several incidents that have led to police seizures of large amounts of cash and drugs. In March 2021, police searched Hines’ home in Pakuranga, Auckland, and found $63,610 in cash. Hines had tried to hide $20,000 of that in his underpants. In June 2022, police arrested Hines at the SkyCity casino in Auckland and found he was carrying $10,370 in cash in a satchel. Earlier, they had searched his new home in Howick when he was not there, finding ammunition and what appeared to be a cannabis plant. In September 2022, police stopped Hines after he got out of his car in Highland Park, Auckland, and found 43g of methamphetamine, some cannabis plant, and $15,296 in cash in his Gucci bum bag.
Police Action and Seizures
The police have taken significant action against Hines, seizing a total of $89,276 in cash from him. The cash was seized during three separate searches, and the police have successfully applied to the High Court to have it forfeited to the Crown under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009. The only explanation Hines had given for the cash police seized was that he got the $15,296 in his bum bag in September 2022 from selling a car the previous evening. However, this explanation has not been accepted by the police, and the cash has been seized as part of their efforts to disrupt and dismantle organized crime groups.
Conclusion and Future Actions
In conclusion, the police are taking a proactive approach to monitoring and disrupting gang activity, particularly in relation to planned travel between Auckland and Foxton. The case of William "Bird" Hines highlights the ongoing efforts of the police to seize assets and disrupt the activities of organized crime groups. As the police continue to monitor the situation, they will be focused on ensuring the safety of the public and road users, and will take enforcement action against any observed unsafe or unlawful behavior. The seizure of $89,276 in cash from Hines is a significant result for the police, and demonstrates their commitment to disrupting and dismantling organized crime groups.