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Police today arrested eight people on drug-related charges after several search warrants were carried out in Tauranga, Paeroa and Rotorua.
The search warrants followed a two-month investigation by the National Police Organized Crime Group into a major drug trafficking ring operating in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions.
Six women and two men, aged between 28 and 55, have been arrested.
They face a total of 42 charges that include the importation of methamphetamine, GBL and MDMA, and the possession and distribution of these drugs.
Detective Sergeant Brett Shields says this investigation initially grew out of investigations into the theft of commercial property in Tauranga in November 2019, where a large amount of iodine was stolen.
Iodine is a “material” used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
“As our investigation developed, we identified an extensive network involved in the importation of methamphetamine, GBL, MDMA, and precursors used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.”
The investigation was led by NOCG’s National Clandestine Laboratory Response Team and with the support of local staff, and uncovered a major drug trafficking ring centered in the Bay of Plenty and extending into the Waikato region.
Police also seized a quantity of methamphetamine and MDMA, as well as LSD, cannabis, cash, Bitcoin, a ute (pictured), and a number of electronic items used to coordinate the importation and distribution of drugs.
“These illicit drugs cause significant harm to New Zealand communities,” says Sergeant Shields.
“They destroy the lives of users, in addition to harming their families and loved ones.”
He says they are confident that today’s operation will result in a major disruption to the supply of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions.
Those arrested will appear in the district courts of Whakatāne, Hamilton and Rotorua in the coming days.
