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The police have carried out the largest seizure in the history of GBL in New Zealand, also known as the “date rape” drug, breaking up a local drug trafficking syndicate in Wellington.
Four hundred liters of gamma butyrolactone (GBL), also known as fantasy, rinse and liquid ecstasy, were discovered on Friday, following a two-month joint investigation, dubbed Operation Skipjack, by police and Customs.
The sting operation also recovered 20 alleged imports, in excess of 20 kilograms, of Eutylone, an amphetamine-type substance, also known as “bath salts.”
It looks similar and is often sold as ecstasy, and has been attributed to dozens of hospitalizations nationwide.
GBL, also known as liquid ecstasy, shown here, was seized by Wellington police on Friday. It is the largest drug seizure in New Zealand history.
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Police believe the drugs were brought into the country from China, via Auckland, and are currently working with liaison officers in Asia.
The seized drugs have a combined commercial value of more than $ 5 million and a social damage index cost of more than $ 30 million.
Two local men, 29 and 35, He will appear in Wellington District Court on Saturday, charged with importing a Class B controlled drug, importing a Class C controlled drug, and possession for the supply of a Class B controlled drug.
More arrests and charges are likely, Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson said Friday.
Ross Giblin
A home on Happy Valley Rd, Owhiro Bay, was raided Friday morning. It is linked to the $ 5 million drug bust.
During the raids, which involved 30 police officers, including the Armed Criminal Squad, police also discovered a clandestine drug laboratory in a vehicle, believed to have been used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Police will work with ESR to further investigate the lab, which was found “encased” in a vehicle, Thomson said.
The union’s alleged drug trafficking activities had been ongoing for at least six months and the police investigation began after discovering that eutilone was “spreading widely” in Wellington, Thomson said.
“Operation Skipjack will cause a significant disruption to the illicit drug market and the seizure of such an enormous amount of GBL will certainly reduce and prevent the harm associated with this drug.
ROSE WOODS
Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson spoke to the media Friday afternoon about the investigation involving the largest ever seizure of a substance commonly known as the ‘date rape’ drug.
“We are sending a clear message to these people that if they are going to earn income from drug activity that harms our communities, we will use all available legislation to alter that behavior.”
The New Zealand drug website High Alert says that Eutilone is “highly risky” and can lead to intense, unpleasant and potentially dangerous experiences for users who believe they have taken MDMA and may think it is weak and be tempted to take more.
The drug has caused multiple deaths abroad.
Drugs known as “bath salts” and “fantasy” were seized by police after raids on seven Wellington properties on Friday.
GBL, a depressant that has relaxing and euphoric effects, is a more potent version of GBH, but the two are often used interchangeably.
The raids on Friday took place on properties in Mt Victoria, Mt Cook, Owhiro Bay and Thorndon.
