A months-long operation that police say uncovered a "massive scale" crayfish crime ring ended yesterday in the dramatic raid of the King Cobras’ Dunedin gang pad.
Fiordland Lobster chief executive Jason Judkins confirmed it was one of its factories the crayfish was stolen from and it was co-operating with the investigation.
Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said Dunedin’s King Cobras gang pad had been restrained by police after a joint operation with Fisheries New Zealand targeting a large-scale, organised "crayfish crime ring".
Det Insp Reeves said "Operation Larry" was a months-long investigation into the theft of 3.75 tonnes of commercial crayfish, stolen from a Dunedin business between October 2023 and October 2024. It culminated in the execution of three search warrants across Dunedin yesterday morning by the southern district organised crime, southern asset recovery unit and Fisheries New Zealand.
"Police and fisheries officers carried out the warrants simultaneously at 7am, targeting two individuals and three residential/commercial properties in Dunedin," she said.
"Police can confirm that one of the warrants was executed at the King Cobras David St pad, which is believed to be linked to the significant theft of crayfish."
Police obtained a restraining order for the King Cobras gang pad under the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act, she said.
"This is theft on a massive scale, with the value of stolen crayfish estimated to be several hundred thousand dollars.
"As a result of our inquiries, we believe the crays were stolen to order.
"The theft was first reported to us back in October 2024, and the scale of it is significant and charges in relation to this offending are likely."
She thanked Fisheries New Zealand for its "invaluable assistance" throughout the investigation.
"The offending has had a significant impact on the victims, and the losses to them are huge."
During the raid there was a heavy police presence for a time in David St, which was entirely blocked off during part of the operation.
A police officer could be seen searching a rubbish bin while fisheries officers looked on.
A resident of the street said he tried to leave his property yesterday morning but police told him to go back inside.
"This morning I heard four bangs and dogs barking."
Police on loudspeakers were telling the occupants of the house to leave.
The resident said the property was a known King Cobras gang pad, and they often had loud parties there, scaring some of the older residents in the area.
Fisheries New Zealand southern compliance regional manager Garreth Jay said the alleged offending was massive and undermined the legitimate commercial sale of crayfish and the many people who worked in and made an honest living from the industry.
"Fisheries New Zealand has also carried out a number of search warrants of various properties in the Auckland area in support of this investigation.
"Where we find evidence of this type of significant offending we will work diligently to hold those involved to account."
