Part payment of a $761,800 criminal profit confiscation imposed on convicted Christchurch Tribesmen gang member Matthew John Linton was met with cash seized on his arrest; the $566,000 balance sits as a suspended penalty, potentially able to be called in at a later date after conclusion of his 2025 three years and one month prison sentence for money laundering.
The High Court was told Linton acted as bag man, holding cash generated by Tribesmen affiliates dealing in methamphetamine and cocaine. He is a patched member of the gang.
At time of his arrest, police seized cash stored at his New Brighton home, in two of his vehicles and at a Riccarton storage unit rented in name of his then partner. She disavowed any claim to the $133,800 cash at the storage unit.
Linton pleaded guilty to charges of money-laundering.
Most of the money has disappeared, untraceable, into off-shore gambling accounts.
He did not contest the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act profit forfeiture order.
For Police, the tactical benefit of seeking a profit forfeiture order against Linton is that future recovery can be made against any assets he comes to later own, not just assets proved to be tainted by purchase with criminally obtained funds.
Commissioner of Police v. Linton – High Court (2.04.26)
26.129