At 5:30 am on Thursday the 16th of June 2011, Auckland Metro Drug Squad and New Zealand Customs terminated a two month long joint operation targeting an Iranian Organised Crime syndicate operating in the Auckland metro area.
Search warrants have been executed at 2 central Auckland addresses, one of which was carried out by the Auckland Armed Offenders Squad.
The operation, known as Operation Crow, netted the seizure of a total 2.380 kilograms of Methamphetamine through 3 separate drug confiscations. This Methamphetamine would have a street value of NZ$2,380,000. It is alleged that this Methamphetamine was imported from Iran by the syndicate.
Police have also seized $16,000 in cash, a Taser disabling device, a 2007 Range Rover Sport and a 2004 BMW Sports Utility Vehicle.
Three people have been arrested.
Two men, aged 31 and 42 are Iranian nationals living in Auckland. They will be facing a variety of charges including importing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for supply, supplying methamphetamine, conspiracy to import methamphetamine and participation in an Organised Criminal Group.
The third man is a 34 year old New Zealander associated to the King Cobra Gang in Auckland. He is facing a charge of possession of methamphetamine for supply.
Ends
Bruce Howard, Acting Detective Senior Sergeant
AMCOS Drugs and Organised Crime
DDI 09 2590628
Cell 027 4812202