Police are seeking information as to the whereabouts of Zebulin Mario Davoren who yesterday was found guilty of 31 charges including multiple counts of manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine.
Davoren was one of 25 people convicted of drug related charges in the Auckland High Court following the termination of Operation Jericho.
Detective Senior Sgt Lloyd Schmid said the 28 year-old failed to turn up for court during the last week of his trial and has been now been on the run for 12 days.
“Police welcome the 68 guilty verdicts that have been delivered in the Auckland High Court following the termination of Operation Jericho,” Mr Schmid said.
“During Operation Jericho Police investigated dozens of Aucklanders who were involved in the distribution, manufacture and sale of the Class A drug methamphetamine and the Class B controlled drug pseudoephedrine.”
“Mr Davoren was one of the leaders of this organised criminal group so it is important he is returned to custody for sentencing.”
Operation Jericho was an Organised Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ) operation which was triggered by the explosion of a clan lab in the Auckland suburb of Glendene in December 2011.
Mr Schmid said OFCANZ staff work closely with Waitemata CIB during Operation Jericho as the investigation widened to include dozens of suspects.
“During the investigation we uncovered a network of cooks, suppliers and dealers across the Auckland region,” Mr Schmid said.
“In November 2012 we executed numerous search warrants linked to this organised criminal group.”
“As a result we recovered a gold bar, over $500,000 in cash and approximately ten high value motor vehicles.”
“Now we want the public’s help to locate Mr Davoren who was one of the key players in this methamphetamine drug ring.”
Mr Schmid said Police believe Mr Davoren is likely to be travelling with his partner Sophia Wilson.
On 24 September Wilson was found guilty of possession of pseudoephedrine for supply for her role in the organised criminal group.
The 24 year-old was remanded on bail awaiting sentencing but has now breached her bail conditions by not residing at her approved address.
Police are also seeking information as to the whereabouts of Justin Lee Abel who was found guilty of possession of pseudoephedrine for supply. The 26 year-old failed to appear for the start of his trial in July and could be living under a number of known aliases.
Anyone with information in relation to Able, Davoren and/or Wilson’s whereabouts is asked to call OFCANZ, Detectives on (021) 1916117 or via the Crime Stoppers Line on 0800 555 111
ENDS
For more information contact Kevin Sinnott on (021) 192 2917
