(Editor's Note: Mau Seng Ling was subsequently fully acquitted of this charge in the Court of Appeal.)

Police acknowledge sentencing following investigation into drug syndicate

Police note the sentencing today in the Auckland District Court of Mau Seng Ling, 45, who was charged in relation to conspiring to import methamphetamine into New Zealand and was sentenced to a 7 year and 1 month term of imprisonment.

Ling is a Malaysian national who is a permanent resident in New Zealand.

The charge arose from a joint investigation involving Police and Customs that was launched in 2015 after it was discovered that a Taiwanese-linked drug syndicate was operating in New Zealand, where Taiwanese nationals were importing methamphetamine.

Under this operation, authorities seized six kilograms of methamphetamine with a street value of approximately $6 million.

In September 2015, four offenders were charged, and have since been convicted for serious drug dealing offences that include importing methamphetamine and conspiring to import methamphetamine.

As a result of evidence gathered during and after this investigation, police continued their efforts to identify others that were linked to this syndicate and gathered sufficient evidence to charge Ling.

Detective Superintendent Greg Williams of the National Organised Crime Group says this investigation and the conviction sends a strong message that offending of this nature is serious and shows that our investigations are wide ranging and police will continue to chase down and hold these criminals to account.

Information relating to Ling’s conviction will also be passed onto our Immigration partners.

“Police are under no illusion that there is a very high demand for this drug.

The damage to individuals, families and whanau from methamphetamine is immeasurable.

Our work to disrupt these organised criminal groups who do not care at all about the devastation this drug causes to our community is ongoing.”

“Police and Customs are more focused than ever on working together to do whatever it takes to stop this drug infecting our communities any further.

Police are also focused on getting help for those with drug addiction and encourage anyone who is concerned for someone they know to contact police or one of the many community support groups available to them for assistance,” says Detective Superintendent Williams.

Customs Investigations Manager Bruce Berry says this investigation shows those who risk getting involved in the illicit business of importing and supplying drugs should be prepared to get caught and pay for their crimes.

“Customs is aware of the different trends and methods that criminal syndicates try to use to smuggle methamphetamine, and are agile in responding to these.

Whether it’s sending individuals into the country as tourists, or smuggling drugs in plain sight as a legitimate product – in this case wine – we use intelligence to understand what risk looks like, and focus our efforts accordingly.

Customs will continue to partner with Police to take down other drug supply networks.”

There are many support services and organisations in our communities that can assist.

The Drug Alcohol Helpline (0800 787 797 or alcoholdrughelp.org.nz) is a great place to seek information and support to begin removing yourself from the harm caused by these types of drugs.

ENDS

(Editor's Note: Mau Seng Ling was subsequently fully acquitted of this charge in the Court of Appeal.)

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