Black Power gang pad in Auckland that was seized and sold by the Crown appears to be back in the gang's hands.

The Mt Wellington building, once home to the gang's million-dollar-per-year cannabis operation, was confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act last year.

Black Power president Mark Pitman, who had owned the pad for 15 years, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for masterminding the operation.

The house, which had a rateable value of $540,000, was sold by tender in January for $245,000 despite attempts by Pitman to purchase the property himself.

The buyer, property investors Houses 4 U Ltd, onsold the property to a trust which was now leasing the property to Black Power, The New Zealand Herald reported today.

Acting Detective Inspector Dave Lynch said police were aware the gang might be once again using the house.

"Should this be the case, then police are disappointed but remain vigilant to deal with any offending that the gang may continue to carry out at or around the address."

Any criminal activity would be investigated and police would use any powers to prevent further offending, including the new asset-recovery proceedings if "circumstances warrant it", he said.

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