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An undercover police operation is sending a strong warning to retailers who might be using dubious supply chains or purchasing stolen goods.
For the past year, Manurewa CIB has been investigating allegations a retail store had been purchasing stolen products for resale in their own store, say Counties Manukau Police.
Earlier this week, the covert operation culminated in detectives executing a search warrant at a Manurewa shop.
A 27-year-old man is now facing five money laundering charges as a result of the investigation.
Counties Manukau Central Police acting area commander, inspector Warrick Adkin, says officers are targeting retail crime on a multitude of fronts.
“Our investigation team has been examining these allegations since information was first received in July last year, particularly where stolen goods may be being offered for purchase at cheap prices to shop owners.
“While I can’t comment on specifics of this investigation, the use of our covert operators has been pivotal to progressing the case.”
During a search warrant at the Manurewa shop, police say they located various items of interest, including a small quantity of illicit tobacco.
“Information obtained in our investigation this week has also led to a search warrant being executed at a Mt Wellington shop, and a residential address in the south Auckland area,” Adkin says.
Police say they’ve recovered other items of interest which will assist in ongoing enquiries.
“We’re warning retailers who are choosing to use unofficial supply chains or looking to purchase goods that are likely stolen,” says Adkin.
“Police are not only investigating those committing theft and other retail crime offences, but also those that are buying or receiving these goods.
“Retailers need to be aware that by engaging in this behaviour they’re creating a market for stolen goods, which in turn makes themselves and their fellow retailers targets for offending.”
Adkin says police will continue to use all available tools to investigate and prosecute retail crime.
If people have any information regarding stolen goods, they can report to the police online, via 105, or by calling Crime Stoppers anonymously on free phone 0800 555 111.
