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Police say an English citizen arrested this week is the central figure in a drug-selling business in Auckland.
The 38-year-old Englishman was among 12 people arrested for their part in the alleged importing of 100,000 tablets of the party drug Ecstasy over the past three months.
The tablets were allegedly hidden in parcels of confectionery and in games from the London department store Harrods.
Investigation head Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Cahill said the Englishman, who lived in Auckland, was believed to be the main supplier of the tablets in New Zealand.
Mr Cahill said the man would face more than 15 charges of supplying the drug.
Another 38-year-old, an Australian based in New Zealand, faces two charges of importing Ecstasy, a class B drug, and a 54-year-old Christchurch man will face charges of supplying Ecstasy and possession of the drug for supply.
Eight other New Zealand-based men face charges relating to the supply of Ecstasy.
Ten of the accused appeared in Auckland District Court and two in Christchurch District Court. All were remanded to reappear for pre-deposition hearings.
Police seized 14,000 Ecstasy tablets and $700,000 cash as part of the operation.
- NZPA
