The Wellington Police Organised Crime Unit and the Wellington Customs Drug Investigation unit busted an international drug importation group, with the recent termination of Operation Shuttle.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Berry, Wellington OCU, says Auckland Customs intercepted a number of packages in the international mail containing controlled drugs. These packages contained both ecstasy and Methamphetamine with a combined valued estimated at over $100,000.
"The interception of these packages shows the expertise of the Customs Officers involved in the searches of international mail."
An English born Auckland resident (aged 24 years and listed as a company director) was arrested on the 18 September 2003 on charges of:
• Importing the class A controlled drug Methamphetamine ( 3 charges)
• Importing the class B controlled drug Ecstasy (2 charges)
• Conspiracy to supply Methamphetamine
• Conspiracy to supply Ecstasy.
• Possession of LSD for Supply
• Selling the class C controlled drug Cannabis
He has been remanded in custody to appear in the North Shore District Court on 25 September.
A Canadian national currently a resident of Wellington (25 years old and listed as a bartender) was arrested in Wellington on the 19 September 2003 on charges of:
• Importing the class A controlled drug Methamphetamine ( 3 charges)
• Importing the class B controlled drug Ecstasy (2 charges)
• Conspiracy to supply Methamphetamine
• Conspiracy to supply Ecstasy.
He appeared in the Wellington District Court on Saturday the 20 September and has been remanded in custody to appear in the Wellington District Court today.
"This is a very significant drug importation operation over an extended period of time. We are very pleased to be able to stop these drugs hitting the streets of Wellington or Auckland."
Wellington Organised Crime staff making enquires in Auckland as part of the investigation located a methamphetamine clan lab at an Onehunga address. As a result a 25-year-old unemployed Auckland boatbuilder will appear in the Auckland District Court today, Monday 22 September on drug related charges.
Police enquires are continuing.