Three people have been arrested and a container containing methamphetamine originating from Iran has been seized as part of a significant police operation.
The container, seized by Customs on May 10 at the Port of Tauranga, was filled with pails of grease. When it was searched, it was found to contain methamphetamine. The total weight of the drug is yet to be determined, but it's expected to be a commercial quantity based on the concealment method.
An investigation into the shipment, as part of Operation Lithium, led to the arrest of three Auckland men, aged between 21 and 42 years, on Thursday. They've been charged with importing the methamphetamine and the 21-year-old man has also been charged with Threatening to Kill. They are appearing in the Auckland District Court on Friday.
Operation Lithium is a combined NZ Police National Organised Crime Group (NOCG) and Customs investigation looking into the importation of a significant quantity of methamphetamine into the country.
"This seizure at the border is another demonstration of the Police and Customs working together to disrupt and dismantle organised crime networks and to make New Zealand more resilient to transnational organised crime," said NOCG detective senior sergeant Reece Sirl.
Cam Moore, Customs manager investigations, said: "Criminal gangs think they are untouchable, but this operation proves them wrong".
"We have stopped their drugs from reaching the New Zealand market, where it could have had a significant economic and human toll.
"Customs, Police and our overseas partners have the intelligence, capability and tools to dismantle these criminal networks – and every determination to continue doing so."
Police cannot rule out further arrests as the investigation is ongoing.
