Eleven people have been arrested and a cache of firearms and drugs have been seized in a police crackdown this week on an alleged international drug-smuggling ring across Auckland and Waikato.
The arrests follow Operation Mexted, a joint five-month investigation by the National Organised Crime Group and New Zealand Customs into an alleged transnational organised criminal cell involved in the smuggling of controlled drugs into the country.
Three US nationals were among those arrested.
The operation netted five firearms, $915,335 in cash, 791g of methamphetamine, 18g of cocaine, and 54g of cannabis.
The first phase of the operation began in late June when police carried out a search warrant at an Airbnb in Auckland’s Māngere Bridge.
During the search, officers found four glocks and a submachine gun located inside a suitcase in an upstairs bedroom, Acting Detective Inspector Jason Hunt said.
It was followed by a second phase of arrests after police searched four properties in Pakuranga, Ōtara, Blockhouse Bay and Papatoetoe.
“As a result, four people were charged in relation to a number of methamphetamine importations, as well as possession for supply of 750 grams of methamphetamine,” he said.
The third phase began on September 8 when officers searched an address in Mt Wellington. A man was arrested after police discovered 41 grams of methamphetamine and $77,000. It was followed by the arrest of a man suspected of money laundering after more than $800,000 was found in an apartment on Auckland’s North Shore.
Yesterday, a further seven people were arrested after police and Customs investigators descended on 10 properties across the Auckland and Waikato regions.
“We are continuing to focus our efforts on these syndicates establishing themselves for financial greed while preying on vulnerable communities,” Hunt said.
“Police will continue to act, alongside Customs and our other law enforcement partners, to shut down this organised criminal offending taking place across different parts of the country.”
Police said the cell was the 29th to be shut down in New Zealand since 2016.
‘900,000 doses of methamphetamine off our streets’
Acting Customs Investigations Manager Simon Peterson said the government department alerted police after identifying the syndicate’s alleged attempts to exploit New Zealand’s border.
“Customs identified the suspects smuggling cannabis plants and resin into the country, tracking their smuggling activities throughout and gathering evidence,” he said.
“The offenders now face charges for the importation of 18 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well importation charges for cannabis.
“This joint investigation with our Police partners has disrupted this criminal group and kept 900,000 doses of methamphetamine off our streets.”
Ten men – aged between 23 and 39 – and a 33-year-old woman have appeared in the Manukau District Court on combined charges for multiple drug- and border-related offences.
The charges include unlawful possession of firearms, importation of methamphetamine, possession for supply methamphetamine, importation of cannabis resin (class b), and importation of cannabis plant (class c).
The group have also been charged with participating in an organised criminal group (material benefits) and participating in an organised criminal group (violence).
