Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Police make arrests over alleged methamphetamine importation

"Police make arrests over alleged methamphetamine importations into New Zealand"


JOINT MEDIA RELEASE FROM NEW ZEALAND POLICE AND FIJI POLICE:

Police in New Zealand and Fiji have disrupted a group of people allegedly involved in importing methamphetamine from the United States into New Zealand.

Last week Police made a number of arrests in New Zealand and in Fiji as part of Operation Nova.

The investigation began in late December after New Zealand Customs staff detected 5 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside a cooking appliance.

Further enquiries by NZ Police have resulted in two further seizures of methamphetamine, also hidden inside cooking appliances, totalling 6 kilograms.

Overall, the combined 11kg seizure of methamphetamine has a street value of $5.5 million and has prevented $13 million of social harm.

“Following subsequent work by Police, a small syndicate was linked to the alleged imports,” says Detective Inspector Paul Newman, National Organised Crime Group.

Last week four men were arrested by Police in New Zealand.

A 50-year-old New Zealand national, a 33-year-old Chinese national, a 60-year-old Canadian national and a 19-year-old US national are currently facing a number of drug and money laundering charges.

They appeared in the Auckland District Court on 13 February.

Meanwhile, two National Organised Crime Group investigators have been in Fiji supporting the local authorities with their enquiries.

Fijian Police have executed a number of search warrants and detained people linked to the group.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

At one address in Suva, their efforts resulted in a seizure of 39 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of about $30 million in Fiji ($19.5m in New Zealand).

This had the potential to cause $46.14 million of social harm to our communities.

A Canadian national was subsequently arrested in connection with the find.

Police believe the man is connected to the group arrested in New Zealand.

“This investigation shows the strength of New Zealand working with its close partners in the Pacific region to combat transnational organised crime groups intent on supplying methamphetamine and cocaine into the New Zealand markets,” says Detective Inspector Newman.

“It is well understood that these illicit drugs are the cause of significant social harm to our communities.”

Detective Inspector Newman says the investigation has further strengthened the working relationship between Police in New Zealand and Fiji.

At this stage Police enquiries are still ongoing and we cannot rule out further charges being laid.

Due to the nature of ongoing operations and court proceedings, Police are unable to comment further.

END

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.