Nineteen people were arrested today during the termination of a 12-month long investigation into the manufacture, supply and distribution of the Class B and C drug ecstasy/analogues.
Fourteen are scheduled to appear in the Auckland District Court this afternoon on a range of drugs-related and criminal group participation charges while six will appear tomorrow.
More than 200 Police were involved in executing search warrants at 45 addresses throughout the Auckland region. About $14 million of assets were seized during today's activities including residential properties, several high value motor vehicles, jet-skis, a boat and pill presses and dies.
Officer in charge of Operation Ark, Detective Inspector Bruce Good, said the termination involved the Armed Offenders Squad's assistance at two of the addresses targetted.
"We believe the syndicate we have interrupted today is responsible for the bulk of the manufacturing and supply of ecstasy in New Zealand which involves tens of thousands of pills a week going out into the market where people pay at least $40 a pill.
"What is also of concern is that many of the pills or tablets seized comprise various mixtures of compounds, the effects of which when consumed could be fatal. Some were being manufactured on premises where rat poison was also made."
Police located eight pill presses at three locations - Onehunga, Highbrook and Albany - as well as several dies for the presses, kilos of compound ready to be pressed, tens of thousands of pills and a loaded shotgun.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz