A year-long Police investigation has dismantled a criminal operation, allegedly manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine in remote parts of the Far North.
Operation Phoenix, led by the National Organised Crime Group, sees 11 men facing serious charges with 34 search warrants being executed across Northland and Auckland in recent days.
The operation continues NOCG’s focus on those criminal groups profiting off drug manufacturing and supply in small and vulnerable communities across the country.
A large number of NOCG and Northland Police staff, supported by specialist groups have descended across parts of Kaikohe and Kaitaia during the termination phase.
Detective Superintendent Greg Williams, Director of NOCG, says numerous charges for serious drugs offending have been laid with the 11 men appearing in the Kaikohe District Court over recent days.
“From Ōpōtiki to Kaikohe, and beyond, we are sending a message that we will continue to target those in small communities manufacturing and dealing methamphetamine,” he says.
Police have recovered nine firearms during searches, along with ammunition, drugs and cash.
Items include:
– An Alfa Carbine pistol, Norinco .22LR rifle and a Mossberg 12g shotgun
– Three hundred rounds of ammunition
– Methamphetamine, including methamphetamine in the manufacture process
– Chemicals used in its manufacture
– Equipment used in its manufacture
– A cannabis grow room
– $15,000 in cash
Concerningly, Detective Superintendent Williams says the Alfa Carbine pistol was found loaded, and stashed, in a backpack in a child’s bedroom at one property.
“Police and the Northland community have had enough of this activity,” he says.
“The social harm caused by this criminal group has been significant and these warrants and arrests send a clear message to those dealing in this harmful drug and profiting from human misery.”
The investigation team were supported by a range of Police workgroups under Operation Phoenix. This includes specialist teams such as the Armed Offenders Squad, detector dogs, the Specialist Search Group, and the Clan Lab response teams supported by PHF Scientists and Digital Tech teams.
The Resilience to Organised Crime in the Community (ROCC) programme was also on hand, providing support, welfare, and access to addiction services for those in Far North communities affected by this group’s criminal activities.
“Enforcement action to hold drug offenders to account, followed by the wraparound services facilitated by ROCC, makes a significant positive difference to communities suffering the effects of methamphetamine addiction,” Detective Superintendent Williams says.
Northland District Commander, Superintendent Matt Srhoj welcomes the results of the investigation.
“This week’s results have been nearly a year in the making, and I know this will go a long way to making a dent in this operation that has been making profit off our vulnerable communities in the Far North,” he says.
“It’s fantastic to have the ongoing support from the National Organised Crime Group, and other Police teams, in our ongoing enforcement.”
The 11 men have been appearing in the Kaikohe District Court over 10 and 11 June.
Those charged are men aged 27, 30, 32, 32, 38, 41, 43, 46, 51, 58 and 61 years old.
They are facing charges including manufacturing methamphetamine, possession for supply of methamphetamine, supplies methamphetamine, and participating in an organised criminal group.
