Two arrested after $8 million drug bust

Two people have been arrested after a joint police and customs investigation busted an $8 million methamphetamine importing operation.

Police said a 23-year-old man Chinese man and a 25-year-old Auckland woman appeared in Wellington District Court today on various charges of importing, possessing, conspiracy to import and conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug.

They were remanded in custody to appear again early next week.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darrin Thomson, of the Wellington Metro Crime Unit, said the investigation, code-named Operation Fiona seized an estimated 8kg of methamphetamine which was brought into New Zealand disguised as water filter equipment from China.

"The drugs were in excess of $8 million on the street.

"This was a substantial operation that we believe had been targeting the NZ drug market and has similarities to other investigations undertaken by police and customs over the past 12 months."

He said police and customs would be co-operating with international law enforcement authorities to identify other links to players involved in organised crime enterprises.

Mr Thompson said that further arrests in New Zealand and offshore were possible.

"This is an excellent example of some of the systems the customs team has in place to protect our borders."

Police and customs investigation into the importation would continue, Mr Thomson said.

- NZPA