An unemployed Northland man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison following the termination of Operation Enzone.
Frank William Murray of Herekino was sentenced on 18 drug related charges, including multiple counts of manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine, in the Auckland High Court.
Detective Sgt John Sowter from the Organised Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ) said that the 47 year old was part of a network of manufacturers and supplier whose tentacles stretched across the North Island.
“This operation was triggered by intelligence gathered by Eastern District staff in Napier in July 2012,” Mr Sowter said.
“Over the next four months Police and Customs launched multiple operations targeting the manufacturing and supply of methamphetamine, GHB (fantasy) and precursor chemicals.”
“These investigations uncovered a number of supply and manufacturing operations in Northland, Auckland, Hawkes Bay and Wellington.”
“It is clear from our investigations that this organised criminal group was also making extensive efforts to launder the money they were generating. We uncovered numerous purchases of motor vehicles, tractors, diggers, farm equipment, boats and building supplies valued at over $250,000.”
16 individuals were eventually arrested following the termination of Operation Enzone in November 2012.
Mr Sowter said Operation Enzone and its parallel investigations are a great example of Police and Customs working together to protect the New Zealand public from organised criminal groups.
“The success of this investigation sends a clear message to the entire criminal community that Police and our partner agencies are working together to target organised criminal groups who are harming our community,” Mr Sowter said.
“Police are pleased to see such a significant sentence that came after a great deal of hard work and that sends a strong message to those contemplating this type of offending.”
ENDS
For more information contact Kevin Sinnott on 021 192 2917