Five members of a Nigerian led drug syndicate were sentenced to lengthy prison terms in the Auckland High Court yesterday following the successful termination of Operation Gatsby.
Four Nigerian nationals received prison terms of 15 to 18 years after being found guilty on several counts of importing and possession of methamphetamine for supply while a New Zealander was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment for possession of methamphetamine for supply.
In November 2013 Customs officers discovered methamphetamine with a street value of $1.5 million in the luggage of an Auckland man who had just returned from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.
Detective Senior Sergeant Lloyd Schmid said Police from the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ) and Customs identified that the man had been duped and used as a drug mule by an international syndicate and launched an operation to track the destination of the methamphetamine
“During the five week joint OFCANZ and Customs investigation we identified two further importations containing over 1.2 kilograms of methamphetamine,” Mr Schmid said.
“Both had been sent to New Zealand through the international mail system from the Philippines and Cameroon.”
On 5 December 2013 Customs officers and Police staff from OFCANZ and Central District executed eight search warrants across the greater Auckland Region and in the central North island town of Woodville.
“Operation Gatsby demonstrates that the New Zealand drug market is being targeted by organised crime syndicates from every corner of the globe,” Mr Schmid said.
“This is another example of New Zealand agencies working together to generate a positive outcome”
Customs Manager Investigations, Maurice O’Brien says the case should serve as a reminder that people travelling overseas should never carry luggage that doesn’t belong to them.
“New Zealand travellers should remain vigilant at all times in respect of their personal security and that of their luggage,” Mr O’Brien said.
Mr Schmid said the sentencing in the Auckland High Court is a fitting end to a highly satisfying investigation.
“The success of Operation Gatsby sends a clear message to the entire criminal community. It is also in line with our prevention strategy that together with our partner agencies we are working to target organized criminal groups who are harming our community,” Mr. Schmid said.
“The sentencing of the ring leaders of this international drug ring to between 15 and 18 years in prison is a great reward for all the staff involved in these operations.”
“I would particularly like to thank our partners at Customs and Police staff from Woodville, Dannevirke and the wider Central District for their help during the termination of Operation Gatsby in 2014”
Two other members of the drug syndicate have already been sentenced for their role in the operation. In August 2014 a 39 year-old female was sentenced to four years for possession of methamphetamine for supply. In January 2015 a 40 year old male pleaded guilty to a similar charge and received a 5 year 8 month sentence.
ENDS
For more information contact Kevin Sinnott on 021 192 2917