Two men tried to reach the city – where Covid restrictions banned takeaways – with $100,000, three buckets of chicken and an undisclosed quantity of fries, police say
Photo: New Zealand police found three buckets of KFC chicken and an undisclosed quantity of fries when they arrested two men trying to cross into Auckland despite city’s strict lockdown. Photograph: New Zealand Police
20 September 2021 | Tess McClure | Guardian
Two men have been arrested after police said they found them with a car boot-full of Kentucky fried chicken and over $100,000 in cash as they tried to cross the border into Auckland despite New Zealand’s strict Covid-19 lockdown.
The men were arrested after allegedly trying to flee from police near the Auckland border. When their car was searched, police said they found a large quantity of KFC, as well as the cash and a number of empty ounce bags.
The arrest struck a chord with New Zealanders – especially Aucklanders, who have spent a month in a strict level four lockdown that does not allow restaurants to open or residents to order takeaway food.
In such an environment, fast food can take on the aura of a high-value illicit substance. Last week, a man was charged by police after posting a social media video of crossing the Auckland boundary in search of McDonald’s.
After the KFC arrest, a police spokesperson said “officers noticed a suspicious looking vehicle travelling on a gravel road, and upon seeing the police car, the vehicle did a U-turn and sped off trying to evade police.
“The vehicle was searched and police located the cash, alongside empty ounce bags and a large amount of takeaways.”
Close examination of the police evidence photos revealed at least three buckets of chicken, up to 10 tubs of coleslaw, and an undisclosed quantity of fries.
![Police recovered more than $100,000 cash from the car.](https://i0.wp.com/www.rnz.co.nz/assets/news_crops/130511/eight_col_CASH.jpg?w=723&ssl=1)
While the scene resembles the plot line of a buddy crime comedy, it is in fact a serious breach of New Zealand’s lockdown laws. A breach of the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act can result in imprisonment for up to six months; or a fine of up to $4,000.
The men will appear in court for breaching the health order, and police said further charges were likely.