$2 million drug busts in Wellington

More than $2 million of methamphetamine and cash has been seized and five people arrested after a joint operation between Wellington police and NZ Customs.

More than 40 drug and Customs investigators searched addresses in Wellington, the Hutt Valley and Horowhenua yesterday, seizing just over 2kg of methamphetamine, more than $20,000 cash, a BMW and a Mercedes.

The high purity Class A drugs, which were concealed in LED lighting panels sent from Hong Kong had a street value of $2 million, police say.

Wellington district crime manager Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson said the joint investigation had identified a syndicate importing a significant amount of methamphetamine that police believed was destined for the wider Wellington drug market.

Four men aged between 36 and 52 and a woman aged 39 were arrested and were due to appear before Wellington District Court today.

Customs manager investigations Mark Day said the investigation was an excellent example of agencies working together towards a common goal and utilising one another's areas of expertise.

"The misery and destruction that methamphetamine causes New Zealand families is enormous and police and Customs are committed to acting swiftly and effectively in identifying those involved in its distribution and ensuring they are held to account."