It was guilt by association, with police alleging Ut Don Le and Hai Thi Thu Le had profited from cannabis dealing by reason of the volume of cash washing through their bank accounts and their close association with convicted dealers. Assets valued at a few hundred thousand dollars were surrendered as part of a court-approved deal, in full satisfaction of police claims some $1.2 million was generated by cannabis dealing.
The two were never charged with cannabis offences.
Action was taken under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act after a forensic examination of their bank accounts identified over $1.1 million in unexplained deposits passed through their accounts over a seven year period ending September 2022. Over that period, Mr Le declared taxable income of just over $77,000; Ms Le just under $170,000.
Police interest was piqued by the fact that two businesses each had worked for (Mr Le a flooring company and Ms Le a nail salon) were run by individuals later convicted of cultivating cannabis.
Mr Le’s fingerprints were found on items at one of the cultivation plots. Their home was listed as bail address for a work colleague bailed on criminal charges for cannabis cultivation.
In a criminal proceeds settlement approved by the High Court, they each agreed to surrender assets in full settlement of the police proceeds of crime claim.
They handed over a property on Titchmarsh Crescent at Flat Bush in South Auckland, plus a late model Mercedes Benz, a jet ski and a trailer.
The court was told there is limited equity available from a sale of Titchmarsh Crescent. It carries a Westpac mortgage, securing a loan of approximately $745,000.
Commissioner of Police v. Le – High Court (16.06.25)
25.143