Police seize $4.8m in assets in Canterbury drug operation

27 vehicles including jet skis, motorbikes and caravans were among the assets seized by police.

Four properties, 27 vehicles including jet skis, motorbikes and caravans and more than $100,000 in cash has been seized by police as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of Class A drugs in Canterbury.

More than 10 search warrants, including at the King Cobra's Addington pad, were carried out across Christchurch last month as part of Operation Shelby.

Six people were arrested, including a senior King Cobra member and charged with offences ranging from methamphetamine supply to participating in an organised criminal group.

Following a parallel investigation, police's Southern Asset Recovery Unit was granted a restraining order under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009.

Two further search warrants led to the restraint of around $4.8 million worth of property, vehicles and cash.

Millions in property, vehicles and cash have been seized.

Detective Inspector Rebecca Cotton said one of the primary reasons for the existence of organised criminal groups was to make money.

"These restraints represent significant capital that otherwise would have continued to benefit the group and create further harm to the community, until now."

Detective Inspector Maania Piahana alleged the restrained assets had been obtained via unlawful activities that had caused serious harm in the community.

"Police are and will continue to consider any methods to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups like this and strip them, and their associates, of their illegitimate wealth.

"The previous arrests, and these restraints, are the outcomes of extensive work and collaboration invested by the staff and workgroups who spent time piecing these operations together, and I would like to acknowledge their efforts."