Cash and property worth $800k seized from drug-selling Wairoa couple

A Wairoa couple convicted of selling drugs stand to lose more than $800,000 worth of cash and assets - including six properties.

The Gisborne High Court ordered the forfeiture on Wednesday, which came after a long-running police investigation into Aria Hubbard and her partner Samson Edwards - a Mongrel Mob Barbarian Motorcycle Club member.

Acting Detective Sergeant Shaun Kennard said the pair was arrested in 2021 and convicted on charges of supplying and distributing methamphetamine in Wairoa.

He said the forfeiture of the couple's criminal proceeds included one commercial property, five residential properties, more than $150,000 in cash, five vehicles, a motorbike, jet ski and jewellery.

The investigation found the pair had deposited more than $200,000 into their bank account and spent almost $400,000 in cash, Kennard said.

"The cash was used to facilitate the purchases of vehicles, jewellery and residential property, as well as paying for renovations on the various properties they owned."

He said some of the property was under different names "in an apparent attempt to separate themselves from the offending and impact the efforts to identify and seize it".

Kennard warned businesses to be careful when accepting large cash payments from gang members to avoid unwittingly laundering money.

Police said once forfeited to the Crown, proceeds would be used for a number of things, such as projects aimed at reducing the harmful effects of drug and organised crime in the Hawke's Bay community.