Three men have been arrested after allegedly importing and distributing nearly 180kg of methamphetamine through a Mexican crime syndicate operating out of central Auckland.
Over the course of three months, police and customs jointly investigated the operations, resulting today in the arrest of three Mexican nationals aged 23, 27 and 32.
Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said customs officers located approximately 175kg of methamphetamine at the Port of Tauranga on July 26.
The container was full of scrap metal and originated from Mexico.
“On Monday, customs notified police about an alert that resulted in the arrest of a 32-year-old man at Auckland Airport as he attempted to leave New Zealand,” Gollan said.
“Further search warrants have since been carried out, resulting in two further arrests.”
Gollan said police and customs officers carried out search warrants at hotel rooms and Air BnB units in Auckland’s CBD this week, finding a further 5kg of methamphetamine.
“We believe the methamphetamine seized in the operation has all originated out of Mexico and would be worth around $63 million in retail value.”
All three men appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday, facing charges including participating in an organised criminal group, importation of methamphetamine and possession and supply of methamphetamine.
Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said the “significant and complex” joint operation has stopped tens of millions of dollars from funding further transnational criminal activity from New Zealand.
“It’s satisfying to know that the months of meticulous investigative work that’s gone into this operation adds to the success of New Zealand law enforcement dismantling those groups which are targeting New Zealand in an effort to amass criminal profits at a huge social and economic cost to our communities and country.”
Further charges were likely as inquiries continued into whether this group was linked to a particular Mexican cartel.
“This seizure is a significant find and demonstrates how vital the partnership between police, customs and overseas partners is in combating transnational organised crime,” Gollan said.
“This represents around nine million doses of methamphetamine, and after being seized has prevented nearly $200 million in social harm.”
