Drug ring busted in Wellington: Police seize vehicles, cryptocurrencies

Police have made a significant drug bust in Wellington resulting in five arrests and the collection of hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets.

The operation, which began in November, focused on the importation and sale of a relatively new Class C controlled drug called N-Ethylpentylone.

Its name on the street is Brown Sugar, Mephedrone or Drone.

Police executed a series of search warrants throughout the Wellington District yesterday, arresting four men and one woman aged between 25 and 37.

Two are due to appear in the Wellington District Court today while the other three are due to appear on Monday.

Police have also recovered $405,000, around 6kg of N-Ethylpentylone and seven vehicles - two Harley Davidson motorcycles, an Audi, HSV Commodore, Mercedes, Chevrolet ute and Maserati.

They also restrained over $200,000 of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Assets restrained by Police in Wellington drug operation. Photo / NZ Police

Wellington Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye said anyone dealing drugs, whether it be Class A, B, or C, can expect to be a target of similar operations.

"If you are a drug dealer of any kind, we will come after you, we will hold you to account and we will restrain and obtain forfeiture of your assets.

"We hear a lot about the harmful impact of Class A drugs like methamphetamine, but this drug — and others like it — are also doing real harm.

"If you or someone you know has a drug addiction, contact the Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797."

Anyone with information relating to this operation can contact Wellington Police on 04 981 2000 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.