Some of the drugs seized during the bust. Photo / NZ Police
Some of the drugs seized during the bust. Photo / NZ Police
Auckland and Christchurch police have laid more than 80 charges against 24 people after busting a major multimillion-dollar drug supply chain between the two cities.
The two long-running investigations uncovered “significant quantities” of class-A drugs and illegal firearms, as well as money-laundering schemes.
The seizures included 5kg of methamphetamine, 3.5kg of cocaine, three firearms (pistol, shotgun and rifle), an $80,000 stolen vehicle, jewellery and more than $500,000 in cash.
The cocaine and meth have an estimated street value of almost $3 million. This equates to 235,000 doses and an estimated $5.5 million of social harm.
One of the firearms seized during the bust. Photo / NZ Police
Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson, of the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG), said the operations, dubbed Operation Italian Sky (Christchurch) and Operation Sumatra (Auckland) included 32 search warrants over the course of four weeks.
More than 50 vehicles were also searched.
According to Thomson, the 24 arrests include 11 people in Christchurch and 13 in Auckland, of whom 22 are males and two are females, all aged between 20 and 50.
The 24 will face a total of more than 80 charges including supplying methamphetamine, supplying cocaine, participation in an organised criminal group, possession of firearms, money laundering, and possession of drug manufacturing equipment.
Thomson said NOCG and other police specialist groups have deployed more than 100 officers at a time in order to bust the drug ring over the past four weeks.
Some of the cash that was seized during the bust. Photo / NZ Police
“This has been a well-planned investigation with a focus on disrupting a substantial Class A drug supply chain and holding to account those responsible for distributing serious harm into our communities,” he said.
“The mix of Class A drugs and firearms is a lethal cocktail and police will continue to act with urgency when such opportunities present themselves.
“Police have also been supported by New Zealand Customs during the Auckland searches and further investigation is being undertaken in respect to the supply chain and origin of the Class A drugs being supplied.”
Police investigations are ongoing. Thomson said more searches or arrests are not being ruled out.
Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.
