Police praise Far North locals
Police have praised Far North residents and local cops for keeping huge amounts of methamphetamine out of New Zealand communities.
Northland Police made the record seizure of methamphetamine in an investigation that started with finding a boat abandoned at 90 Mile Beach.
Initially 448kg of the drug was found on June 12, then police found another 50kg hidden in sand dunes, bringing the total street value to around half a billion dollars.
‘‘This is without a doubt, the largest ever seizure of methamphetamine in New Zealand, and what is so great about this is that it’s not only the result of hard work by the Northland Police, but it’s the result of information we got from the community,’’ Northland Police District Commander Superintendent Russell Le Prou says.
‘‘Wherever this methamphetamine was headed, it was going to cause harm, and it’s thanks to the Kaitaia community, who were not going to tolerate this, that we’ve managed to stop the harm from this massive haul of meth.’’
Two boats, a Toyata Prado and a rental campervan have been seized by police.
An Ahipara fisherman was among locals offered cash to help launch one of the boats off the beach at Shipwreck Bay. He tried to help the five men before reporting their suspicious behaviour to police.
An off-duty police officer later spotted the campervan at Totara North and called for backup. Multiple suitcases and bags of meth were found inside.
Six men had been arrested when went to print.
Three appeared in the Kaitaia District Court on June 14 jointly charged with importing class A drugs and possession for supply of a class A drug. They will reappear on July 6.
Two 25 year-old men and a 26-year-old man have appeared in the Manukau District Court. Chairman of Te Runanga o Te Rarawa Haami Piripi says Maori are taking a more proactive role in protecting the coastline.
‘‘The main thing is that we have prevented this curse from landing among our whanau and children.’’
Police were unable to say where the meth came from. Police and Customs are continuing to investigate.