Nine arrested in drug supply ring (with pics)

Investigators from the Auckland office of the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ) have arrested and charged 9 people with offences relating to the supply of the Class A controlled drug methamphetamine and the importation and supply of Class B controlled drug pseudoephedrine in the form of ContacNT.

Eight people were arrested late last month as part of the termination of Operation Gull. The ninth and final arrest was made this morning in Tauranga.

As a result of the investigation approximately 130 grams of methamphetamine valued at around $91,000 and approximately $130,000 in cash was seized. A further 6.6kgs of ContacNT valued at around $290,000 was also seized with 2.2kgs by Police at a South Auckland address and 4.4kgs by the New Zealand Customs Service at the Auckland International Mail Centre.

The investigation centred on a 20 year old Asian student who is facing multiple charges of supplying in excess of 560 grams (20 ounces) of methamphetamine over a 3 – 4 month period to persons living in the Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton areas.

It is alleged that this 20 year old student was supplying methamphetamine to his co offenders who have also been arrested and charged. They were then on-supplying methamphetamine to others.

Of these co offenders one is a 30 year old male from Tauranga who is a patched member of the Mongrel Mob, another a 29 year old male from Auckland who is a prospect for the West Chapter of the Head Hunters gang and three others with connections to either the Black Power or Tribesman gangs.

Of the nine persons arrested and charged, five have been remanded in custody. The man arrested this morning, will appear in Tauranga District Court today.

ENDS

Detective Senior Sergeant Lloyd Schmid
OFCANZ
027 474 6663