Seven people have been arrested after police dismantled a criminal syndicate’s operation involving the alleged importation and distribution of illegal substances using empty rental homes and storage units.
The group were arrested after officers — with support from the armed offenders squad — carried out 12 searches of homes across Auckland and Waikato today under ongoing Operation Banner.
A man alleged to be a “key player” in the operation was also arrested after getting off a domestic flight at Auckland Airport.
Police seized $800,000 in cash, 4.5kg of methamphetamine, 300 LSD tabs, 250g of cocaine, and 250g of ketamine, Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Dunhill said.
Dunhill said the syndicate allegedly distributed the illegal drugs across Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty.
“We will allege this organised criminal group used a range of delivery methods to try and outwit law enforcement agencies in New Zealand and abroad,” he said.
“This included allegedly using vacant rental properties or storage units to facilitate importations and deliveries.
“Our investigation is also examining where the profit of this misery is ending up.”
He said officers also seized “numerous devices” for forensic examination, and will form part of the ongoing investigation into money laundering offences.
“The connection between money and drugs in the criminal environment remains of strong interest to police, as these organised criminal groups continue to profit off the misery that they are selling into communities.
“Their operations are far from innocent given the far-reaching impacts drugs have on the wider community, from health through to further criminal offences being carried out.”
Six men, aged between 26 and 41, are due to appear in the Auckland District Court today.
Most of the group face “serious drug offences”, Dunhill said, including importing controlled drugs, possession for supply of methamphetamine, and conspiring to import a class B controlled drug.
Further arrests are likely.
