NZ organised crime 'more than drugs and guns'

A cannabis recovery operation in Central District. File photo / Supplied

Organised crime is more than just guns and drugs with environmental and cyber crime also proving a lucrative business, says the country's newest crime-busting agency.

The Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ) has put out its first assessment which reveals that Oceania has one of the highest amphetamine-type substance user rates per capita in the world.

The market is worth approximately $1.2 billion a year and organised crime is involved in every stage of the methamphetamine supply chain.

More prevalent than methamphetamine though is cannabis, which is the most commonly used illicit drug.

The OFCANZ assessment reveals that New Zealand is self-sufficient in its cultivation of cannabis.

And though the cocaine market is believed to be small there is concern that organised crime groups will seek to expand on this.

Opiates are causing problems among younger individuals and an increasing number of users are being admitted to hospital.

"It's more than just drugs and guns," said director Malcolm Burgess.

"Organised criminals are involved in a wide-range of illicit markets including environmental crime, intellectual property crime and fraud."

Environmental crime is another lucrative industry with gangs, including Asian crime groups, involved in poaching and black market activity.

Organised crime also centres around violence, kidnapping, illegal trade and use of firearms and illegal migration.

Identity crime, money laundering, cyber crime and fraud are all concerns for OFCANZ.

The assessment also highlights successful operations including one code named 'Acacia' in July this year.

The operation involved a raid on several properties including a financial business operation in downtown Auckland with help provided by authorities in Asia.

The operation busted a money laundering ring, seized $5 million dollars worth of methamphetamine, 21 firearms and six vehicles.

Eight properties were restrained and 16 people face drug dealing charges.

- NZPA