Police and Customs have intercepted a massive methamphetamine shipment hidden in machine parts sent through air cargo, preventing $37 million worth of drugs from flooding New Zealand communities.
The bust, part of Operation Vault, began in June when Customs intelligence specialists flagged a suspicious package. The consignment was linked to a group allegedly connected to the Killer Beez gang.
While initial shipments contained no drugs, police allege these were sent as “dry runs” or “test runs”.
Last week, a shipment from Canada arrived containing 124 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside machine parts.
Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said the group had made “extensive preparations” to receive and distribute the meth, including hiring a rental truck and a fork hoist.
Five search warrants were executed at Auckland addresses last Thursday, with $36,000 in cash and 392 grams of cocaine seized.
Seven people were arrested – six men aged between 20 and 62, and a 26-year-old woman.
All face charges of importing methamphetamine and participating in an organised criminal group.
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Gollan said the seizure was a “fantastic outcome”.
“The quantity of methamphetamine would have gone on to cause significant harm to our communities. The group involved have no regard for their anti-social behaviour and are purely motivated by the monetary profits.”
Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said dry runs were a common tactic used by transnational crime syndicates.
“Customs and police have systems in place to identify these and remain one step ahead of these criminals.
“It doesn’t matter how criminals attempt to conceal and move their drugs across the border, Customs and our Police partners have the skills, intelligence and technology to find the drugs and track down the criminals trying to smuggle them in.”
