P lab gang's Nazi code revealed in wire-taps

Some of the exhibits from the Manurewa-based P ring. Photo / Supplied

Nazi catchphrases were among some of the coded conversations that convicted an underworld heavyweight of running a major methamphetamine ring.

Mongrel Mob member Tommy Peters was sentenced to 15 years in prison yesterday on manufacturing, possession and supply charges, covering 100 drug deals. He was also caught with a pistol and ammunition.

Peters was the principal target in Operation Vito, a wire-tapping investigation run by Counties Manukau police between September and December 2008.

The patched gang member sourced the precursor substance pseudoephedrine, then supervised "cooks" at a clandestine P lab in a Manurewa home.

Detectives intercepted numerous text messages and phone calls between Peters and other Mongrel Mob members.

In one conversation he is asked to swap a "set" - street talk for 1000 pseudoephedrine tablets - for a "wheel", slang for an ounce, or 28g, of methamphetamine. Peters declined: "At da moment I been up all nite doing mahi bro cant see me wantin to part with my krak 2 much work."

The word mahi, Maori for work, was mentioned in other bugged texts. But in the context of the texts, police believed mahi referred to manufacturing P.

"Doggg its jeep u at hm im keen 2 mahi," another patched Mob member, Peter Tau, texted to Peters.

"Sieg heil im on my way," was the reply. The Nazi-era phrase was used often as code for yes.

A large laboratory was discovered when police raided Peters' Manurewa home, with traces of P contamination in the sunroom, kitchen and laundry. Police also found 70g of methamphetamine, with a street value of $70,000, and $26,000 in cash.

Two other clandestine labs in residential homes were shut down, one with more than 300 litres of highly toxic waste product from the manufacturing process.

In total, the Organised Crime Unit at Counties Manukau arrested 10 Mongrel Mob members and associates.

Peters was sentenced to 15 years in prison, Peter Tau nine years, Sidney Rudolph eight years and William Tua five years. Sandra Boisen was sentenced to four years' jail for supplying precursor chemicals.

Detective Inspector Dave Lynch said Operation Vito sent a strong message that police do not tolerate organised criminal gangs supplying methamphetamine into the community.

He urged anyone with information about the drug trade to call police or anonymously on Crimestoppers, 0800 555 111.