NZ Police make arrests and seize drugs as part of Trans-Tasman Taskforce

• 28 search warrants
• 20 arrests
• More than $520,000 in cash seized
• More than 260 kg of illegal substances seized
• One secret laboratory discovered
• Three firearms seized

Gang members and accomplices have been arrested, drugs seized and a secret lab discovered, all during the ‘Week of Action’ led by Taskforce Morpheus, a joint Australasian taskforce focused on combating the criminal activities of motorcycle gangs.

New Zealand police have expanded their focus to include both motorcycle gangs and organised crime groups, with more than 200 charges laid against 20 individuals and more than 260kg of illegal substances seized.

Taskforce Morpheus is a joint initiative involving the New Zealand Police and all Australian state and territory police officers, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Border Police, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Defence Force and others to jointly address the greatest threat to criminal motorcycle gangs in Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand Police, the Department of Corrections and New Zealand Customs have taken a coordinated approach to terminate a series of arrest warrants and enforcement actions against organised crime groups in New Zealand.

During Action Week, from Monday 5 to Friday 9 August, the New Zealand Police implemented a nationally coordinated plan across all police districts.

Detective Superintendent Greg Williams, Director of the National Organised Crime Group, said: “Morpheus has worked with local New Zealand operations, such as the gang-focused Operation Cobalt – the systematic disruption of serious criminal activity that threatens public safety and wellbeing, including the illegal possession and use of firearms, and the illegal manufacture and supply of illicit substances.

“Taskforce Morpheus highlights our strong trans-Tasman relationship, which will help us to more effectively tackle transnational organised crime in our communities.” During the week, police executed a number of search warrants in areas including Waikanae, Churton Park, Morningside, Henderson, Silverdale and West Harbour.

Waiting Matā

On Monday 5 August, police executed two simultaneous search warrants in Henderson and West Harbour, where a major gang member and a potential gang member were arrested. Sixty-eight LSD tablets, 180 grams of methamphetamine and nine unidentified pills were found and seized. Items consistent with methamphetamine production were also found. At the West Harbour address, police found a secret laboratory where methamphetamine production equipment, including precursors, was found. In addition to the illegal substances, police also found and seized gang clothing and approximately $3,000 in cash. Two men, aged 29 and 35, were arrested and remanded in custody. They are due to appear in Waitakere District Court again on Wednesday 2 October and Thursday 26 August, where they face charges including possession of methamphetamine and possession of precursor equipment and materials.

Wellington

On Tuesday 6 August, police arrested a gang member at an address in Churton Park and seized approximately $20,000 in cash, a handgun, approximately four grams of methamphetamine and items consistent with the supply of methamphetamine. A 43-year-old man has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a handgun and ammunition. He has been remanded in custody following an initial appearance and is due to appear again in Wellington District Court on Thursday 29 August. On Wednesday 7 August, police arrested a gang member in Waikanae and seized approximately 400 grams of cannabis, 550 millilitres of butanediol (similar to GBL or GHB), psilocybin (magic mushrooms), testosterone and items consistent with drug trafficking. A 44-year-old has been charged with possession of class B and C substances and is due to appear in Porirua District Court on Tuesday 20 August.

Waiting Matā

On Thursday 8 August, police, with the assistance of Customs, arrested a member of the Rebels gang in Dairy Flat. During the execution of a search warrant, police seized 58kg of methamphetamine, two handguns and 111 rounds of ammunition. The gang member was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, importation of a class A drug and possession of a class A drug for supply. He was on active charges relating to a clandestine drug lab and has been remanded in custody. Two other joint operations involving New Zealand Customs and New Zealand Police, which concluded last week, also resulted in the seizure of drugs and cash and the forfeiture of assets.

Operation Havana

Operation Havana involved a two-year coordinated investigation into a major Chinese drug smuggling network.

The syndicate, largely based in Auckland’s southeastern suburbs, was disrupted, with 17 search warrants executed across the city. The disruption of the drug smuggling ring saw illegal substances and $500,000 in cash seized, and 12 people arrested, with more than 175 charges laid.

The main seizures are: 183.5 kg of methamphetamine, 29 litres of liquid methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, 35.8 kg of pseudoephedrine and 16.7 kg of MDMA.

Approximately $4 million in assets were also seized.

Operation Fix

During Operation Fix, three people were arrested and a total of approximately 180kg of methamphetamine was seized during an operation in central Auckland targeting a Mexican criminal organisation.

A man was arrested as he attempted to flee the country from Auckland Airport after a container containing scrap metal and 175kg of methamphetamine was found at the Port of Tauranga on Friday, July 26.

Police, supported by Customs, raided hotel rooms and Air BnB units in Auckland’s CBD, recovering a further five kilograms of methamphetamine and making two further arrests.

Department of Corrections Enforcement Action Against Prison Gangs

Corrections staff worked to disrupt the damaging impact that motorcycle gangs can have from within a prison. Coordinated security efforts across all 18 prisons focused on gathering intelligence and detecting contraband, with a number of items including cell phones and tobacco being seized.

Customs has increasingly focused on screening air passengers to identify international travellers with gang ties and conduct further risk assessments.

Chief Inspector Williams said this ‘Week of Action’ was an opportunity to highlight the enforcement activities that the police and our partner organisations regularly undertake.

“Our officers are out every day to tackle illegal activities, including activities by gang members and their accomplices.

“Police remain committed to combating illegal gang behaviour, through the enforcement activities of Operation Cobalt and larger investigations into organised crime groups.

“We know that these groups, which are often associated with violent crime, pose increased risk and concern, particularly when it comes to firearms.

“By continually targeting those who put others at risk, we send a clear message to gangs that illegal activity will not be tolerated and will be tackled with enforcement action.”

Chief Inspector Williams says New Zealand Police would like to thank their Australian colleagues for their continued support.

“This underlines our strong relationship, which contributes to a better understanding of the wider organised crime landscape and further effectiveness in tackling gangs and transnational organised crime.”

Watch the Taskforce Morpheus video here:
https://www.facebook.com/NZPolice/videos/2213269492357231

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