Police have destroyed more than 10 tonnes of cannabis following Operation Beryl, a four-week crackdown that uncovered 120 residential and commercial properties across Auckland converted into cannabis “grow houses” linked to Vietnamese organised crime groups.
The raids, which took place up until August, resulted in the seizure of around 11,000 plants worth an estimated \$50 million on the black market.
Thirty people, mostly Vietnamese nationals, were arrested and now face deportation. Many of those detained were allegedly trafficked into New Zealand under false pretences of legitimate employment and forced to work as “crop sitters” to repay large debts to unscrupulous immigration agents.
The properties were spread across all three Auckland policing districts, with nine tonnes found in Waitemata, 140kg and 4,200 plants in Counties Manukau, and half a tonne in a Penrose warehouse.
Police say the operations often involved unsafe electrical wiring and power theft, with some sites causing fires.
Operation Beryl follows earlier immigration and policing probes under Operation Clementine, which identified 38 companies linked to cannabis syndicates exploiting work visa rules. Immigration New Zealand has since cancelled dozens of visas, issued infringement and deportation notices, and placed companies and directors associated with the networks under watch.
Good top up for the evidence bin
“Many of those detained were allegedly trafficked into New Zealand under false pretences of legitimate employment and forced to work as “crop sitters” to repay large debts to unscrupulous immigration agents.”
So how bloody easy it to become an immigration agent in Hobbitville I dare ask? What a joke NZ has become.
Taking meth off the streets is one thing but cannabis should be legal.