Wellington police and Customs have disrupted an alleged syndicate accused of importing enough drugs to cause more than a billion dollars in harm to the community.
The alleged syndicate is believed to have been importing and distributing drugs including gamma butyrolactone (GBL), which is also known as liquid ecstasy and rinse, and eutylone, which is often referred to as 'bath salts'.
Wellington district field crime manager Det Insp Darrin Thomson said the syndicate had recently changed its method of importation to use the mail system and police have now identified further importations.
"Due to the diligence of NZ Customs, more than 20 parcels were intercepted and stopped from arriving at the intended location."
Thomson said it's believed the syndicate imported more than 7000 litres worth of GBL into New Zealand, of which Customs seized significant amounts. The street value of the GBL involved is estimated at $28,000,000.
According to the New Zealand Drug Harm Index, the drugs would have caused more than a billion dollars in community harm (NZ Drug Harm Index 2016).
"Operation Skipjack will cause significant disruption in the illicit drug market and the seizure of such an enormous of quantity of GBL will certainly reduce and prevent the harm associated with this drug," Thomson said.
"GBL is a dangerous drugs for users and we have a responsibility to keep New Zealanders safe."
Over the past two weeks, 22 search warrants have been executed in Wellington, Hutt Valley, Kapiti Mana, Horowhenua and Palmerston North which resulted in the arrests of eight men and three women, aged between 25 and 44.
During our searches police also located and seized $60,000 cash, three firearms including one loaded semi-automatic weapon with 70 rounds of ammunition, and a kilo of methamphetamine.
Four people have also previously been charged in relation to the operation.
Police have now laid 50 charges.
