Police seize methamphetamine worth N18.7 billion in major drug bust

Police have seized 123kg of methamphetamine worth $94m (about N18.7) billion in 2 major drug busts in Auckland, New Zealand.

Organised crime police said the gangs had used previously unseen techniques to import and produce the drug.

Those arrested include 7 people from Hong Kong and mainland China who were arrested under Operation Wand and Operation Sorrento.

BBC reports that the raids were a joint operation between the customs authorities and police from the Organised and Financial Crime Agency New Zealand (Ofcanz).

The drugs were discovered during raids on a number of Auckland addresses in late March and in one bust of a lab in the Pakuranga district, police found 20kg of meth which was "ready or being prepared for market".

Speaking on the raid, Detective Inspector Bruce Good said this showed "the scale of the organised criminal operation we have infiltrated during Operation Wand. Unfortunately it also suggests that the market for methamphetamine remains strong in New Zealand".

He further said that the fact that the two groups appeared not to be connected showed that there were "a number of players involved in the importation, production and supply of methamphetamine in the Auckland region".