8 in court after drug raids
Early morning swoops across Auckland nab suspects tied to alleged smuggling ring
Six people were arrested yesterday after police launched a series of early morning raids targeting an alleged drug smuggling ring. National Organised Crime Group Detective Inspector Paul Newman said the raids were in connection with an ongoing methamphetamine operation allegedly linked to the Head Hunters motorcycle gang.
The arrests were part of Operation Boeing, which was launched late last year and focused on a patched member of the Head Hunters’ West Chapter who was allegedly involved in importing Actifed from Fiji and who oversaw people allegedly involved in manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine in the community.
Actifed is a cold and allergy drug that contains pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in making methamphetamine.
Newman said yesterday police raided five addresses across Auckland in Mt Eden, Pakuranga Heights, Mangere East, One Tree Hill and Papakura.
The six face a raft of charges including money laundering, participating in an Organised Criminal Group, manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine and supplying and possession of pseudoephedrine.
It follows two arrests last week when a 40-year-old man and 28-yearold man were charged with importing and possessing pseudoephedrine. Those arrested so far include:
A 62-year-old man charged with money laundering x 2 and participating in an organised criminal group
A 35-year-old man will be charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, supplying methamphetamine, conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and participating in an organised criminal group
A 26-year-old woman will be charged with conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and participating in an organised criminal group
A 39-year-old man will be charged with supplying methamphetamine and participating in an organised criminal group
A 41-year-old woman charged with supplying methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for supply, offering to supply methamphetamine and participating in an organised criminal group
A 37-year-old man will be charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, supplying methamphetamine, possession of pseudoephedrine for supply and participating in an organised criminal group.
A 40-year-old man charged with importing pseudoephedrine and possession of pseudoephedrine for supply
A 28-year-old man charged with importing pseudoephedrine and possessing pseudoephedrine for supply.