Police seize over $120 million in drugs and assets during record breaking operation

The New Zealand Police and the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ) have seized over 330 kilograms of the Class B drug ContacNT in the biggest haul of its kind in New Zealand history.

ContacNT is manufactured legally in China but is used in New Zealand to produce methamphetamine. The ContacNT seized during Operation Ghost is enough to produce up to 100 kilograms of methamphetamine which has a corresponding street value of $100 million.

This morning 250 officers from Police, OFCANZ and Customs executed 40 search warrants, at residential and business premises across Auckland and Waikato, at the conclusion of an 18 month investigation named Operation Ghost.  24 people were arrested this morning and up to $20 million of assets were seized including property, cars and cash.

Today’s termination followed the seizure of 267 kilograms of ContacNT at three Auckland addresses as part of the investigation in October.  Four people were arrested at that time. An additional 64 kilograms of ContacNT was discovered this morning.

Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Burgess said Police expect the impact on the drug market to be significant. 

“Police and OFCANZ have eliminated a criminal network responsible for importing and distributing Class B drugs which are used to produce methamphetamine,” Mr Burgess said.

“Operation Ghost sends a powerful message to the criminal community that we will use every legal avenue at our disposal to target organised crime in New Zealand.”