Choppers seized by police

OFF THE WIRE
NEW ZEALAND
By Anna Leask
5:30 AM Sunday Aug 29, 2010
Nine motorbikes worth up to $50,000 each were seized from a West Auckland warehouse this week by police investigating the criminal activities of a man accused of manufacturing methamphetamine.

The Harley Davidson and American Chopper bikes belonged to Scott Corless, an associate of the Head Hunters gang, who will stand trial in the High Court on nine charges relating to a P-lab bust in Titirangi in May.

The charges include manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of chemicals and equipment used to manufacture the drug, allowing his premises to be used for manufacture, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of explosives.

Corless has two more jury trials coming up for methamphetamine related charges. They are not connected to the Titirangi bust. He is also facing a charge of escaping custody.

Armed police raided the Otitori Bay Rd house Corless was living in on May 7 and discovered a P-lab on the property, as well as a collection of cars and motorbikes including seven Choppers and a Mustang.

Corless owns motorcycle importing business Custom & Performance Specialties that deals in "outrageously expensive" one-off motorcycles including American Choppers and Harleys - some of which were seized by police in this week's raid.

One of the bikes was listed on Corless' website valued at $35,995 and another at $51,995.

Sergeant David Hines said a Ford F150 truck was also seized from the warehouse, which is owned by an associate of Corless.

Police also seized several more Choppers and a jetski from one of Corless' West Auckland properties on August 3.

"This is part of an ongoing investigation into his criminal offending," Hines said.

"He effectively said when he was in court that he'd locked them [the vehicles] in storage for safe keeping."

In 2008 legislation was changed so police could seize anything they thought was relevant to their investigation while searching a property. Before the change, police could only uplift items listed on a search warrant.

Police were still looking for other vehicles owned by Corless but Hines would not be drawn on specifics.

In 2007 Corless was one of seven people who walked free on methamphetamine charges following a case that dragged on for five years.

Justice Raynor Asher granted a stay of proceedings for the seven on the basis that the delays in getting the case to completion had taken too long.