Search

Police Minister Judith Collins today congratulated Police on a major drugs operation which dismantled a significant North Island methamphetamine supply chain and resulted in scores of arrests.

Today’s Police operation, codenamed Operation Stamp, saw Police swoop on addresses throughout the North Island. The operation involved around 150 Police staff across five Policing districts.

Thirty people were arrested and 29 vehicles, over $120,000 in cash, firearms, computers, drugs and drug precursors were seized. A clan lab was located in Murupara.

Police Minister Judith Collins and Customs Minister Maurice Williamson today congratulated Police and Customs officers for their role in making 2010 an “awful year” for methamphetamine dealers.

Police and Customs seized 30.4 kg of methamphetamine, or “P”, during 2010, an increase of 46 percent over 2009 when 20.8kg was seized. The seized drugs have an estimated street value of $30 million.

Many of these seizures were the result of nationally co-ordinated investigations targeting organised crime.

Efforts by Australian crime gangs to establish themselves in New Zealand will meet with stiff resistance from Police and the Organised and Financial Crime Agency (OFCANZ), Police Minister Judith Collins said today.

The Rebels MC, Australia’s largest outlaw motorcycle gang with a reported 2000 members, has been looking to expand into New Zealand. The Australian Government considers them a criminal organisation.

New Zealand Police say the gang is involved in serious violence, and the manufacture and trafficking of drugs.