More than $1.05 million in assets have been seized by police following a years-long investigation into unlawful sex work by overseas nationals in New Zealand.
In 2024, Maristela De Souza and Michael James Sloan were sentenced in Auckland's High Court for their roles in enabling Brazilian nationals to work as sex workers while in the country on temporary visas.
The pair acted as booking agents for the 15 sex workers, and arranged advertising and handled customer communication for the women.
At the time, Sloan and his co-defendant pleaded guilty to a representative charge of aiding and abetting individuals to breach conditions of their visas, and were sentenced to 10 months' home detention.
That followed several years' work as part of a significant joint investigation involving New Zealand police and Immigration New Zealand investigators.
As a result, the Courts found the offenders had derived more than $1.2 million in unlawful benefit from the offending, and ordered the forfeiture of two residential properties, a boat, cash holdings and vehicle sale proceeds under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009.
The High Court found the offending undermined New Zealand's immigration system, enabled unlawful financial gain, and exposed migrant workers to an increased risk of exploitation.
Police Asset Recovery Unit Specialist Investigator Bede Arbuckle said the seizure of assets was valued at approximately $1.05 million.
"Criminal proceeds recovery is about ensuring people cannot profit from unlawful activity. When offenders lose the assets and wealth gained through crime, it sends a clear message that illegal enterprises do not pay," Arbuckle said.
"The forfeiture order and seizure of assets reflects the continued commitment of police and partner agencies to identify, restrain and recover assets linked to significant criminal activity," he added.
Immigration NZ's national investigations manager Jason Perry said he hoped outcomes such as these deterred others from becoming involved in similar offending.
He said removing the financial incentives of crime enables authorities to disrupt criminal enterprises, protect vulnerable people and safeguard the integrity of New Zealand's immigration and regulatory systems.
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