Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Key Players Taken Out in Methamphetamine Bust

Key Players Taken Out in Methamphetamine Bust

Southern Police have today arrested two North Island men who they allege are lynchpins in the supply and distribution of methamphetamine into Southland.

Dubbed Operation Queen, police targeted the distribution and sale of methamphetamine into Invercargill and the wider Southland area, with a goal to stop the drug's supply at source.

In a combined sting, Invercargill and Southern District Police organised crime squads executed two warrants, one in Hamilton and the other in Auckland.

They arrested a 46-year-old Hamilton man who had previously lived in Invercargill and a 43-year-old man living in Auckland.

The pair is appearing in the Auckland and Hamilton courts today on methamphetamine supply charges.

During the warrants Police also seized equipment believed to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, a quantity of methamphetamine and cannabis, and $4000 in cash.

Police believe that as a result of Operation Queen, part of this manufacturing operation has been shut down.

Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis, of the Southern District Organised Crime Squad, says that the pair is alleged to be the main perpetrators of the supply chain for methamphetamine into Southland.

Police believe their activities have resulted in methamphetamine with a street value of between $150,000 and $200,000 being sold into Invercargill.

Police also allege that the pair made more than eight trips between Auckland and Invercargill to source methamphetamine for sale into the southern city.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"Southern Police are committed to continued targeting of anyone who becomes involved in the distribution and sale of methamphetamine into our region. This drug is money-driven and people involved have no concern or care for the level of harm it wrecks on our Southern communities."

The operation, which has been ongoing for the past four months, is the third major operation that Southern District Police have undertaken to target methamphetamine supply and distribution over the past two years.

It follows on from Operation Rocky in 2011 and Operation Moses this year. Both highlighted that significant quantities of methamphetamine are sourced from outside the district.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.