On Wednesday (Sept. 5), New Zealand Police announced that they have arrested and charged a total of ten individuals in relation to ‘Operation Inca,’ which is a National Organised Crime Group investigation into alleged corruption in harness racing.
The investigation has led to a total of 17 search warrants, the large majority of which were executed in Christchurch. The other warrants were executed in Invercargill and Manawatu.
News of the police operation have led to media reports regarding the situation, but authorities have yet to publicly name the ten individuals that have been charged as a result of the probe.
New Zealand Police have announced the following:
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A 26-year-old man is due to appear in Christchurch District Court today (Wednesday, Sept. 5) on charges of deception by match-fixing, possessing Class ‘B’ drugs for supply, and supplying Class ‘B’ drugs.
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Four men — aged 34, 40, 41 and 44 — are due to appear in Christchurch District Court on Tuesday, September 12 on match-fixing charges.
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A 41-year-old woman is due to appear the same day (Tuesday, Sept. 12) on two counts of supplying Class ‘B’ drugs.
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A 47-year-old man has been charged with deception by match-fixing and is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court, also on Tuesday, September 12.
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Three men, aged 30, 42 and 49, were due to appear in Christchurch District Court this afternoon (Wednesday, Sept. 5) on multiple drug-related charges. The 30-year-old man is also facing a charge of unlawful possession of a restricted weapon.
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is urged to contact [email protected] or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
In light of the situation, Harness Racing New Zealand has issued the following release:
Media Release: Operation Inca
The Police and Racing Integrity Unit are investigating race fixing in harness racing. As a result of the investigation to date, the police have arrested a number of persons and charged them with race fixing.
In view of the serious nature of the charges the police have laid, the Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) has taken action under the Rules of Harness Racing to exclude all those charged by the police from entering a race course to attend race meetings, workouts and trials.
The RIU has also charged those concerned with Serious Racing Offences, Rule 1001 (1) (v) (i) of the Rules of Harness Racing.
The RIU can be contacted by the following means:
- 0800RIU123
- [email protected]
- 09 529 7219
As the matter is now before the courts no further comment will be made.
(With files from New Zealand Police and Harness Racing New Zealand)