dompost.co.nz
The Dominion Post
Friday, 13 June 2008
Saravuthy Mao, 49, a Wellington takeaway bar owner, made his second court appearance in Lower Hutt District Court yesterday and was remanded in custody till July 4.
Mao, who lives in Upper Hutt, was arrested last month after a Fisheries Ministry campaign.
He allegedly bought 2.5 tonnes of paua meat from an undercover fishery officer in 17 separate transactions for $60,615.
The ministry claims that quantity of paua had a commercial retail value of about $324,000.
Mao faces 16 charges under the Fisheries and Crimes Act, each of which carries a fine of $250,000 or five years' jail.
Ministry lawyer David Fordyce said Mao recently transferred US$50,000 (NZ$66,000) to Cambodia and $50,000 had been transferred to a family member in the Auckland region.
Defence lawyer Paul Paino said the money transferred to Cambodia was from $85,000 paid to Mao as a result of a legitimate property settlement, but it was extremely difficult to refute allegations about money transfers without specific information about the dates and amounts of money involved.
The Dominion Post
Friday, 13 June 2008
Saravuthy Mao, 49, a Wellington takeaway bar owner, made his second court appearance in Lower Hutt District Court yesterday and was remanded in custody till July 4.
Mao, who lives in Upper Hutt, was arrested last month after a Fisheries Ministry campaign.
He allegedly bought 2.5 tonnes of paua meat from an undercover fishery officer in 17 separate transactions for $60,615.
The ministry claims that quantity of paua had a commercial retail value of about $324,000.
Mao faces 16 charges under the Fisheries and Crimes Act, each of which carries a fine of $250,000 or five years' jail.
Ministry lawyer David Fordyce said Mao recently transferred US$50,000 (NZ$66,000) to Cambodia and $50,000 had been transferred to a family member in the Auckland region.
Defence lawyer Paul Paino said the money transferred to Cambodia was from $85,000 paid to Mao as a result of a legitimate property settlement, but it was extremely difficult to refute allegations about money transfers without specific information about the dates and amounts of money involved.
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