Operation Weirton: Police restrain millions of assets after record border interception (+ materials)

Property, vehicles and bank accounts totaling more than $ 7 million were seized today by a police asset recovery unit following a lengthy investigation into Operation Weirton, the largest seizure of methamphetamine at the border.

Earlier this month, six people were arrested after intercepting more than 600 kilograms of methamphetamine, which arrived via Auckland airport.

The retail price of the drug was nearly $ 250 million.

As a result of ongoing investigations by the Asset Recovery Service, police detained four properties and five cars, including a Lamborghini Huracan and a Ferrari.

A bank account containing about $ 1 million was also detained.

Four limited facilities are located in the Auckland suburbs of Karak, Papakura, Henderson and in Pukehin in the Gulf of Wealth.

Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmidt says that the assets detained today belong to the alleged main culprit in the drug syndicate – a 36-year-old man.

The man, who is a member of the Mongrel Mob gang, has been charged with conspiracy to import methamphetamine and money laundering, and he is due to appear in Manukau District Court on 2/5/2022.

Police cannot rule out that this person will be charged further.

“This is a significant seizure of property worth millions of dollars, allegedly obtained from proceeds of crime.

“These criminal syndicates are motivated by financial greed and prey on those who are most vulnerable, ignoring the destruction and social harm that methamphetamine causes in our communities.

“We will continue to target criminals who amass wealth by selling illicit drugs and depriving them of illegally obtained assets,” said Detective Inspector Schmid.

END

Nick Baker / New Zealand Police

NOTES FOR THE MEDIA: Additional images and footage of today’s operation are available. Please contact the Police Media Center via media@police.govt.nz