Police have arrested 11 people following a major operation targeting an alleged transnational criminal group involved in the production and distribution of methamphetamine in Auckland.
According to a report by 1News, the arrests came after officers executed eight search warrants across the city on Thursday morning, including in Avondale and Pakuranga. The operation involved support from the Armed Offenders Squad.
According to police, the investigation focused on individuals linked to an offshore organised crime network who had travelled to New Zealand.
During the coordinated raids, officers uncovered significant quantities of drug-making equipment and materials, including an operational clandestine laboratory believed to have been used for methamphetamine production, as reported by 1News.
Police also seized approximately $200,000 in cash, pseudoephedrine and 10 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The 11 men arrested are Chinese and Taiwanese nationals aged between 21 and 53. All have appeared in the Auckland District Court and face charges including possession of methamphetamine for supply, importing precursor substances and participating in an organised criminal group.
Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said investigators believe the group entered New Zealand with the intention of manufacturing illicit drugs.
“We believe this group entered the country specifically to manufacture illicit drugs, supported by several New Zealand-based facilitators,” Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said, as quoted by 1News.
Police said examinations of the scenes are continuing and additional charges may be laid as the investigation progresses.
Gollan said authorities remained committed to targeting organised crime groups involved in the drug trade.
“Police have zero tolerance for individuals who come into this country to profit from the harm illicit drugs cause, 1News has quoted.
“We are very pleased to arrest and hold this group to account,” as quoted by 1News.
The investigation remains ongoing.