Omaui arrest over Lego-box meth
A successful joint operation by the New Zealand Police and Customs has resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of methamphetamine and an arrest in Southland for importation.
Detective Dave Kennelly of the Southland police organised crime group said half a kilogram of methamphetamine was concealed within a box of Lego from the United States and intercepted by Customs at the border.
The meth had an estimated street value of between $250,000 and $300,000.
A search warrant was executed at a rural Omaui property on Monday night, supported by the armed offenders squad.
A 46-year-old man was arrested and charged with importing a class A controlled drug. He will appear in the Invercargill District Court on July 21.
The investigation is ongoing, and police cannot rule out further arrests and charges being filed.
Police continue to step up enforcement and the disruption of unlawful gang activity across the country as part of Operation Cobalt, Kennelly said.
‘‘Our message to those involved is clear – we have zero tolerance for any gang-related violence and drug offending.
‘‘Methamphetamine devastates the most vulnerable in our communities, while organised criminal groups continue to profit from this type of offending. We are committed to disrupting and dismantling the operations of those who seek to profit from this harm, and we are confident this operation will result in a major disruption to the supply of methamphetamine in our region.’’
He said police needed the local community to help them address unlawful behaviour in the region.
Information can be given to police via 111 if it is happening now and 105 after the fact.