A Waikato pair have been charged after allegedly importing drugs online to sell in the local market.
An investigation was launched after staff at Police and Customs identified a spike in the importation of GBL and 1,4-B, a drug similar to GBL, earlier this year.
The joint operation between Waikato police and New Zealand Customs uncovered “litres of Fantasy or GBL, pills and other illegal substances ordered through international online sources and imported into New Zealand to be sold in the local Waikato market”, Detective Inspector Daryl Smith said.
On Tuesday, the Waikato organised crime squad – with assistance from Customs, the armed offenders squad, and other Waikato Police staff – carried out searches at two properties and two storage facilities.
“A total of 4L of 1,4-B, 129 cannabis plants, 1kg of dried cannabis, 100 BZP pills, and ammunition were located across the properties,” Smith said.
“This follows a previous seizure of 30L of GBL at the border.”
A 40-year-old man and 42-year-old woman were arrested and charged with a variety of offences including importing a Fantasy-type substance, supplying a Fantasy-type substance, supplying methamphetamine, cultivating cannabis, and supplying cannabis.
“This investigation sends a message to drug dealers shopping online – you can’t hide behind the internet.”
New Zealand Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams called the investigation and subsequent arrests “another great example of the collaborative work between Customs and Police”.
“These arrests have prevented the distribution of harmful drugs into the Waikato, leaving our communities safer as a result.”
