A concoction of addictive and harmful substances was seized in our communities and at the border as part of a week of action on illicit drugs.
New Zealand Police and Customs joined Australian authorities during the coordinated effort by the Australia and New Zealand Illicit Drug Working Group (ANZIDWG).
Search warrants were carried out around the country, along with enforcement action at New Zealand’s border.
Detective Inspector Tom Gollan says the operation focused on targeting organised crime groups involved in importation, production and distribution of illicit drugs.
“We know that these substances create harm amongst communities including addictions, but drugs also attract violence, organised crime and other serious criminal activity,” he says.
“Those peddling illicit substances across our community are making profits off of their harm, and authorities are continuing to apply pressure to disrupt their criminal enterprises.”
Law enforcement agencies work together across borders to share expertise and intelligence to target these criminal networks.
Across Australia and New Zealand, 560 search warrants were executed last week.
This included 85 search warrants carried out right across this country by Police and enforcement activity at New Zealand’s airports and borders.
Amongst the finds, Police made discoveries of class A, B and C drugs with 34 people arrested for various offences.
In Tamaki Makaurau, Police shut down further cannabis grow houses nestled amongst North Shore, Auckland City, South Auckland and West Auckland suburban properties linked to Vietnamese Organised Crime and seized more than a quarter of a tonne of loose cannabis.
Across New Zealand, around 6180 cannabis plants were also seized in total.
Additionally, at the border, Customs arrested a passenger at Auckland International Airport after seizing approximately 5.1 kilograms of methamphetamine. Customs also seized 6.8 kilograms of ephedrine during further targeted examinations
Customs Integrated and Targeted Operations Centre Manager, Bruce Berry says the week of action strengthened the coordinated work already taking place across borders.
“Customs works closely with Police and our international partners every day to detect and disrupt the criminal networks moving illicit drugs across borders.
“Focused operations like this allow agencies to align intelligence, targeting and enforcement activity, bringing greater pressure against organised crime and strengthening our ability to prevent illicit drugs from reaching New Zealand communities.”
Week of Action – by the numbers:
- 85 search warrants in NZ
- 34 arrests for drugs offences
- 30kg of methamphetamine
- 270kg of loose cannabis seized
- 6, 183 cannabis plants seized
- 2.3kg of opium
- 427 opium pill
- 24 Kamini pills
- 27g of cocaine
- 339 MDMA pills
- 56g ketamine
- Four firearms seized
- $647,690 in cash seized
- Three vehicles seized
