Alleged offenders came from overseas, police say, as $200,000, 10kg of meth seized

12:59 pm today

People travelled to New Zealand to take part in the manufacture of meth, police say.

Photo: Supplied / NZ police

Police say 11 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals who are being linked to a transnational organised crime cell have been arrested over charges of supplying methamphetamine.

The arrests come after search warrants were executed across Auckland on Tuesday morning under Operation Haste, including in Avondale and Pakuranga.

The 11 men, aged between 21 and 53, have since appeared in Auckland District Court facing charges of supply of methamphetamine, importing precursors and participating in an organised criminal group.

Detective Inspector Tom Gollan.

Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell

Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said police have seized clandestine laboratory equipment and materials, including an operational laboratory.

About $200,000 in cash, pseudoephedrine and about 10 kilograms of methamphetamine have also been seized.

"We believe this group entered the country specifically to manufacture illicit drugs, supported by several New Zealand-based facilitators," Gollan said.

About $200,000 in cash has been recovered.

Photo: Supplied / NZ police

During the search warrants, which were supported by the Armed Offenders Squad, police seized clandestine laboratory equipment and materials, including an operational laboratory.

Scene examinations at several of the locations are continuing, and further charges are likely, he said.

"This operation highlights the ongoing value of strong cooperation with our international partners to rapidly identify and dismantle transnational organised crime groups," Detective Inspector Gollan said.

"Police have zero tolerance for individuals who come into this country to profit from the harm illicit drugs cause."

It was the 32nd transnational organised crime cell dismantled by the National Organised Crime Group since 2018.

Part of the 10kg methamphetamine supply that was seized.

Photo: Supplied / NZ police

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Crime and Justice

'Do the right thing': Police urge partner of missing Christchurch woman Rowena Walker to speak

Veteran activist John Minto gets $10,000 from police after unlawful arrest

Alleged offenders came from overseas, police say, as $200,000, 10kg of meth seized

'Monks' target shoppers, demanding money for bracelets and trinkets

Police use of AI restarted after officers used unapproved models

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs

Top News stories

Winston Peters wants to see prison terms for Immigration officials

BNZ fined $2.6 million after misleading some customers with non-profit accounts

'Do the right thing': Police urge partner of missing Christchurch woman Rowena Walker to speak

Veteran activist John Minto gets $10,000 from police after unlawful arrest

Alleged offenders came from overseas, police say, as $200,000, 10kg of meth seized