Police have returned an envelope of cash to the Head Hunters after misreading a handwritten note on it as “drugs profit”.
The envelope, seized alongside a semi-automatic pistol during a search of the West Auckland gang pad in August, actually read “drags profit”.
According to the NZ Herald, the cash inside the envelope was actually the proceeds of a regular motorcycle racing event held at the Meremere Dragway in northern Waikato.
In a statement to 1News, police said it had “since clarified the handwriting on the envelope contained an ‘a’ instead of a ‘u'”.
“The money has since been returned.”
Police searched the Head Hunters pad on View Rd in Henderson on the morning of August 21. They were originally looking for a stolen motorbike and related items as part of an ongoing investigation.
No arrests were made, and the motorcycle was not found at the property.
Police did find a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, the cash, and a small amount of cannabis.
The “drags” cash was found in a safe on the property.
The gun and cash were seized, while two motorbikes were impounded for driving-related offences.
Green and pink stickers were issued on several other motorbikes parked at the address.