Yesterday, 9th March 2016, members of Police and New Zealand Customs executed search warrants at three Himitangi Beach addresses. They were assisted by members of the Manawatu Armed Offenders Squad and a specialist Police drug dog unit from Wellington.
These search warrants were the culmination of a joint investigation between Wellington Police and New Zealand Customs that commenced in August 2015 codenamed Operation Wax.
The investigation centred on the importation of MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine and Class C controlled drugs to various addresses in the Himatangi Beach area.
During the investigation, equipment and pre-cursor chemicals that could be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine were also intercepted at the border.
A 29-year-old male from Himatangi Beach is set to appear in the Palmerston North District Court facing a number of charges relating to the importation of Class A, B and C controlled drugs. He also faces charges relating to the importation of equipment and pre-cursor chemicals.
Two further arrests were made as a result of the search warrants conducted. A 27-year-old male faces a charge of Cultivating Cannabis and a 57-year-old male faces a charge of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
Detective Sergeant Dave Thompson of the Manawatu Organised Crime Unit says, “This is a great example of how Police and other Government agencies are working together to thwart attempts by criminals to peddle these drugs onto our community.
Controlled drugs and in particular methamphetamine have a huge impact on our community and it is always pleasing when quantities of these drugs can be prevented from hitting the streets. In particular, the seizure of equipment and chemicals before they could be used to manufacture methamphetamine is a fantastic result.”
Customs Manager Investigations, Maurice O’Brien says, “This is another example of consignments that were successfully intercepted using our multi-layered risk assessment processes, and intelligence that led to this joint operation to identify the offenders involved.”
In a separate incident on the 8th March Police stopped a vehicle on Featherston Street in Palmerston North. A search of this vehicle unearthed a quantity of methamphetamine, cash and a pistol.
A 48-year-old Palmerston North man and 22-year-old Palmerston North woman are now facing charges of Possession Methamphetamine for Supply, Possession of a Pistol and Supplying Methamphetamine.
Any information in relation to this can be given to the Palmerston North Police by contacting Constable Richard How, (06) 351 3600
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800555111
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Media Release Issued by Jillian Reid Public Affairs PNHQ.