A joint Police and Customs operation has disrupted a significant drug smuggling network.
A massive quantity of drugs, including ten kilograms of cocaine was seized, and four men were arrested this week.
The operation targeted the importation, supply and distribution of illicit drugs in Canterbury and throughout the country.
This week's arrests are the result of a joint Canterbury District Organised Crime Group and Customs investigation.
Multiple consignments of controlled drugs were intercepted at the New Zealand border, along with the seizure of additional drugs and assets during a series of search warrants across Canterbury.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tania Jellyman says the operation highlighted the value of a close collaboration between Police and Customs.
"The successful outcome of this investigation reflects the strong working relationship between Police and Customs, with intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement activity enabling us to identify, disrupt and dismantle serious offending.
"The quantities of drugs seized during this investigation represent a significant amount of harm that has been prevented from reaching our communities.
"Organised criminal groups are motivated by profit and have little regard for the damage these substances cause to individuals, families and communities."
The investigation has removed substantial quantities of illicit drugs from circulation and disrupted an organised supply chain operating within Canterbury.
As part of the operation, investigators seized:
- 10 kilograms of cocaine
- 10.6 kilograms of ketamine
- 24.5 kilograms of MDMA
- 6800 Ecstasy tablets
- 70kg kilograms of pseudoephedrine
- 4600 LSD tabs
- 3 kilograms of cannabis
- 550 grams of methamphetamine
- Over $500,000 in cash
- One 3D-printed firearm
- Pill pressing equipment for producing ecstasy tablets.
Four men, aged between 27 and 35, have been arrested and remanded in custody. They are due to appear in the Christchurch District Court facing a range of charges relating to the importation, possession for supply and supply of controlled drugs.
Customs Acting Investigations manager Nigel Barnes said the multiple interceptions showed organised crime groups were prepared to make sustained attempts to breach New Zealand's border.
"The range of drugs intercepted demonstrates the persistence and increasingly brazen nature of this activity.
"Customs work across the border system to identify suspicious consignments, connect related importations and build the intelligence needed to stay ahead to stay ahead of evolving smuggling methods."
This result demonstrates the strength of the Customs and Police partnership in identifying criminal networks, disrupting their supply chains and preventing harmful drugs from reaching our communities.
