Four more people have been arrested in Auckland and over a kilogram of methamphetamine, $100,000 in cash and firearms seized, following an ongoing investigation into an Asian organised crime syndicate in the city.
Police say the arrests, which took place last week, are linked to a search warrant conducted in January that resulted in two large scale methamphetamine laboratories being discovered in an Auckland suburb.
Four people were arrested at the time, however the person police believe to be the syndicate head evaded capture since January and has allegedly continued to actively establish a drug trade network.
Police staff from the National Organised Crime Group, with the assistance of other specialist police groups, conducted multiple search warrants in Auckland on Thursday.
Officers captured and arrested the alleged offender along with three associates in a motel room in West Auckland.
Further search warrants were conducted at properties in Penrose and Blockhouse Bay and this resulted in the arrest of two more alleged syndicate members.
Police say they seized well over a kilogram of pure methamphetamine, $100,000 in cash, two pistols and a cut down rifle and located a further active clandestine laboratory.
Four people have appeared in the Auckland District court on a number of drug dealing and firearm related charges.
A 32-year-old man is next due to appear in the Auckland District Court on December 12 to face charges including two of possession of methamphetamine for supply, two of manufacturing methamphetamine and two of unlawful possession of a firearm.
A 24-year-old man has been charged with unlawful possession of a pistol and is appearing in the Auckland District Court on December 7.
A 41-year-old man has been charged with supply and possession for supply of methamphetamine and is next appearing in the same court on November 20.
A 19-year-old female has been charged with methamphetamine possession and is next appearing in the court on February 28.
Detective Inspector Paul Newman from the National Organised Crime Group says this is a great outcome for police and the arrest of the syndicate head is a significant result.
"These arrests demonstrate our commitment to preventing the harm that these drugs cause in our community," Mr Newman said.
"We will do everything we can to protect the public from offenders who cause considerable harm through the manufacturing and supplying of illicit drugs," he said.
SHARE ME