Arrests At Ferry Part Of Drugs Ring Bust

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ARRESTS AT FERRY PART OF DRUGS RING BUST
Two suspected members of an organised crime ring with links to Asian syndicates have been arrested getting off a ferry in Wellington.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tom Fitzgerald, of Christchurch, said the ring was broken yesterday after months of investigation by police and Customs into methamphetamine dealing.
"There are links to Asian organised crime syndicates throughout New Zealand, and distribution has been through local, well-established organised crime syndicates, a number of whom are long-term organised crime associates," he said.
Search warrants were executed in Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland. Police had detected methamphetamine dealing "well in excess of $100,000 a week" and had found pure methamphetamine, or P, valued at more than $400,000.
Eighteen people in New Zealand are now facing charges, including supplying methamphetamine and conspiracy to supply methamphetamine.
Two people alleged to have been travelling the country distributing methamphetamine were arrested in Wellington as they disembarked from an early-morning ferry from Picton, Mr Fitzgerald said.
They were charged with conspiring to supply methamphetamine. A further charge of supplying methamphetamine was likely.
Twenty police and Customs staff were involved over months of investigation, and 120 staff were involved in yesterday's raids.