Nun quizzed over prison drug ring

Sister Marie Roche.

Police bust meth import ring and three Rimutaka inmates face charges.

Police have busted a major methamphetamine importing ring allegedly being run from behind bars - and a nun has been caught up in the investigation.

Three Rimutaka Prison inmates face drugs charges over the P ring, and the Herald on Sunday understands as part of the investigation, police found an offshore bank account in the nun's name.

The nun, Sister Marie Roche, has been interviewed by police and is on leave. Police would not say if charges would be laid against her.

Sister Marie told the Herald on Sunday she was shocked her name had been linked to the alleged drug ring.

"I don't know these people. Good Lord, as if I'd be ... I wouldn't even know how to do anything like that. I don't have any contacts."

She said she had been interviewed by police but believed there were "no further inquiries arising" from that interview.

The nun, who was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the community in the Queen's Birthday honours in 2011, said she had "heard the name" of the alleged ringleader but did not know the man personally.

Six people have been charged in the case, dubbed Operation Gandolf and run by Police, Corrections and Customs. More charges are expected, but the three authorities would not reveal further details, saying the case is ongoing.

It is understood a large amount of meth was being imported into New Zealand, but the drugs were not being sold in the prison.

The accused Rimutaka Prison inmates are alleged ringleader Mohamed Atta, Rollie James Heke and Mana Justin Tangitutu. They are charged with conspiring to supply methamphetamine.

Atta was also charged jointly with Duane Te Hau with importing methamphetamine and conspiring to supply heroin.

One of the others charged, Robert Wayne Blewden, is on the run. He has been charged with conspiring to supply methamphetamine and importing the drug. He featured on Police Ten 7 last month after failing to appear in court on those drug charges and a warrant is out for his arrest.

Simone Olsen, communications adviser for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops, said they had not been made aware of the investigation but confirmed the nun was not at work.

"Sister Marie has been quite unwell for some time. At the moment she is on leave. She is going to take some time out until the New Year," she said.

Maku Potae, the national director of the Prison Chaplaincy Service, said he had requested a report from Corrections about the investigation.