Police seized $400,000 from Air New Zealand baggage handler Matangikolo Piukana involved in a plot to import methamphetamine

In addition to opening criminal proceedings, police pursued money made from drug importation, obtaining a restraining order for more than $316,900 found in the home of Piukana’s sister and $24,470 in the bedroom of his own home.

They did it civilly High Court pod action Proceeds of Crime (Recovery) Act 2009which serves to confiscate criminals’ property that has been “tainted” by their illegal activities.

As part of that lawsuit, police also took control of the family bank account, which has over $264,000 in it, but most of that money will be returned because it belongs to Piukana’s relatives who were not involved in his crimes.

A Supreme Court decision handed down by Justice Christine Gordon just before Christmas ordered the forfeiture of all cash and $71,920 in the bank account. A total of $413,290 will become Crown property.

Piukana was one of several airline employees who were detained in an operation led by the police’s National Organized Crime Group and police. Customs Service which started in July 2021.

Piukana was the syndicate’s “logistics organizer” who received orders from the group to assign baggage handling personnel to individual flights to collect imported drugs.

The drugs were then taken away from the airport without passing through customs.

Piukana also handled money made during the operation and kept large amounts of cash in the home of his sister, Sanlolan Piukana, and her husband, Sitaleka Maka.

Both Sanlolan Piukana and Maka pleaded guilty to receiving $316,900 found at their home in Waterview, Auckland. On November 14, they were sentenced to 12 months of house arrest.

In his judgment, Justice Gordon said police accepted that Matangikolo Piukana did not take physical possession of the methamphetamine imported into the country, but “facilitated” its importation.

“Given the value of the controlled drugs or cash involved, it must be concluded that he must have unlawfully benefited from his role in facilitating the importation of at least 110 kg of methamphetamine.”

Most recently on November 12 Nigel IuvaleKing Cobra gang member with an inoperable brain tumor was sentenced to 18 years in prison after prosecutors called him “snake head” meth import operations

Tungane Manuel, another airport employee found guilty of drug-trafficking charges after a jury trial in June and July, was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison.

Several other baggage handlers have already been jailed for their roles in the operation, ranging from two years and four months to 12 years and six months.

Another man, accused of serving as second-in-command under Iuvale, is scheduled to be sentenced next month. His name is being withheld for now.

The remaining syndicate members are scheduled to be sentenced within the next four months.

Ric Stevens worked for the former New Zealand Press Association news agency for many years, including as a political reporter in Parliament, before taking up senior positions at various daily newspapers. He joined NZME’s Open Justice team in 2022 and is based in Hawke’s Bay. His writing on crime and justice is based on four years of experience on the front lines as a probation officer.