Ten Arrests In Major Operation Targeting International Drug Syndicate
Police
have arrested 10 people and seized up to five million
dollars’ worth of drugs in a major operation targeting the
importation of methamphetamine and other drugs into New
Zealand. The operation, dubbed Operation Mystic, is an
eight month long investigation into an international drug
syndicate, which is alleged to have imported over a tonne of
methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine and ephedrine into the
country over a three year period. The investigation is
run by the National Organised Crime Group and New Zealand
Customs and has been focused on a key player living off
shore. A New Zealand man has allegedly been operating
overseas since 2016, sending drugs to associates back here
via multiple countries and using a variety of ways to
conceal the drugs. Police have started a formal
extradition process to bring the 31-year-old man back to New
Zealand, where he will face 94 charges on serious drug
dealing, money laundering and participating in an organised
criminal group. Police have also arrested six of his
alleged associates living in New Zealand after search
warrants were carried out throughout the wider Auckland
region last week. Three others alleged to also be part
of the syndicate were arrested late last year. Search
warrants were carried out at 11 properties in Auckland
central, Henderson, Wairau Valley, West Harbour, Takanini,
Waterview and Beach Haven. National Organised Crime
Group’s Detective Inspector Paul Newman says this was a
sophisticated, large-scale international drug
syndicate. He says the quantity of drugs allegedly
imported by this syndicate is significant. “New
Zealanders are using about 13kg of methamphetamine a week
according to recent wastewater analysis, so a tonne of
methamphetamine or its precursor ephedrine equates to more
than a year’s worth of national consumption,” he
says. “By arresting and stopping this syndicate’s
key player, along with his alleged associates, it will go a
long way to reducing the amount of this drug being imported
into New Zealand, and preventing the harm it causes to our
communities.” Detective Inspector Paul Newman says
in excess of a million dollars in cash, several high end
vehicles and firearms – including a military style rifle -
were also seized as part of the operation. “Removing
the drugs from circulation is only part of the
solution. We will strip the assets of those who import
and deal drugs. Our reach offshore through our law
enforcement partners and our own New Zealand Police liaison
network means we will find these criminals and they will be
held to account.” Ten people aged between 28 and 57,
have been arrested and will face multiple charges including
money laundering and participating in an organised crime
group. They include Chilean, Italian, Brazilian and
Filipino nationals. Nine have appeared in the Auckland
District Court and are expected to reappear in the coming
months. This investigation remains ongoing and at this
stage, Police cannot rule out the possibility of further
seizures and
arrests.
He was arrested at the border in Italy
on February 2.