Pleading guilty to charges of cannabis supply, William James Allen then faced a proceeds of crime application seeking to sell a suite of six properties he owns in Wellington, Napier and Hastings all mortgaged to ANZ Bank. In a structured sell-down akin to corporate restructuring, the High Court approved a self-managed asset realisation with Allen agreeing to hand over $1.3 million as proceeds of crime.
Whilst admitting to dealing in cannabis, Allen disputes that his property purchases were funded in any way by proceeds of crime. Nevertheless, he agreed to a court-approved Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act settlement in which he will self-manage sale of as many properties as may be needed to generate $1.3 million payable as proceeds of crime.
It was earlier agreed that $1.08 million was generated from illegal cannabis sales. The amount payable to settle the proceeds of crime claim was increased to $1.3 million, to cover the contingency that Allen may not sell properties as promised, forcing further action by police to recover payment.
Terms of the High Court order give Allen time to make full payment: August 2026.
All six properties are currently subject to restraining orders.
Allen’s lawyer was empowered to liaise with Insolvency Service to have restraining orders lifted sequentially on properties as they are sold. His lawyer was further empowered to liaise with Insolvency Service to temporarily lift restraining orders over properties not being sold but requiring refinancing to accommodate ANZ Bank’s lending criteria.
Net proceeds of each sale are to be handed over in reduction of the court approved settlement.
Justice Churchman ruled that any properties remaining after full payment of $1.3 million are removed from restraint and return to Allen’s full control.
The restrained properties are: (in Wellington) at Wainuiomata and Lower Hutt; (in Napier) at Maraenui; (and in Hastings) at Flaxmere.
Commissioner of Police v. Allen – High Court (6.11.25)
26.004