UPPER HUTT – A jailed car‑parts dealer who once ran dismantling yards in Wellington and Christchurch now faces the loss of two valuable properties — after the High Court granted authorities permission to sell the sites under asset‑recovery laws.

Court green‑lights sale of two wrecking yards

On 29 November 2025, the court approved the police commissioner’s application for an early sale of two properties located at 35 and 37 Montgomery Crescent, Upper Hutt — both previously placed under restraint orders as part of the investigation.

The properties, owned by Alizadah Property Investments (linked to Abdul Ahmadi), are estimated to have capital values of NZ$1.09 million and NZ$700,000 respectively.

Authorities argued the sale was necessary to preserve the value of the assets, citing mounting mortgage arrears accruing on the properties. The ruling was issued under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.

From legitimate business to alleged chop shop

Ahmadi ran his operations under business names including Lion Auto Dismantlers and NZ Wellington Car Parts — trading publicly as North Wreckers. While those names implied lawful auto-dismantling, police say behind the scenes the yards accepted stolen vehicles from repeat offenders.

Between December 2023 and August 2024, investigators say some 38 stolen vehicles, worth around NZ$800,000, passed through the yards before being stripped, shipped overseas, and laundered via company accounts.

A financial audit showed more than NZ$479,000 from overseas shipments was funneled into Alizadah Property Investments — a key factor in the asset recovery case.

Sentencing and asset forfeiture

Ahmadi was arrested in September 2024 after simultaneous police raids in Upper Hutt and Christchurch.

On 12 November 2025, a court in Christchurch sentenced him to three years and three months’ imprisonment for receiving stolen vehicles and related offending.

The High Court ruling to liquidate his Upper Hutt properties signals that proceeds‑of‑crime laws can reach beyond jail sentences — potentially stripping criminals of assets linked to laundering and theft.

Implications for Wellington’s car‑theft crackdown

The dismantling yards had been under suspicion since early 2024, after authorities noticed a sharp rise in vehicle thefts across Canterbury and the Wellington region. Police believed the yards were central hubs for chopping up stolen cars and exporting the parts overseas.

With the sale of the Upper Hutt properties now authorised, law‑enforcement officials hope the case sends a strong message: those profiting from illegal car theft and chop‑shop operations will face not only prison — but the loss of ill‑gotten gains.