Taskforce Vitreus: Drugs seized, arrests made in trans-Tasman operation

Nearly 200 arrests have been made and tens of kilograms of drugs seized as part of a second trans-Tasman operation this month, slashing at the pockets of organised crime groups, say police.

Under the banner of Taskforce Vitreus, Police, NZ Customs and Australian authorities seized more than A$93 million (NZ$101m) drugs in a week, a significant loss for criminal entities that wallow in the misery they create, says Detective Superintendent Greg Williams, National Organised Crime Group Director.

Vitreus is an Australasian Working Group focused on drugs and their harm to communities. Between Monday 19 and Friday 23 August, agencies on both sides of the Tasman ran an operation that resulted in:

• 190 arrests
• 14 warrants across the North Island
• 179 charges laid against 122 people
• The seizure of three shotguns and a .22 rifle

A significant quantity of drugs, including more than 4kg of methamphetamine and 25kg of pseudoephedrine, was also seized by Police and Customs.

It comes just weeks after Taskforce Morpheus, another joint operation between New Zealand and Australian authorities, targeting motorcycle gangs.

Detective Superintendent Williams says the operation is an extension of Police’s ongoing efforts to hit New Zealand’s illicit drug supply lines, and the number of arrests reflects the risk drug suppliers and dealers are willing to take to make money.

“This wasn’t an operation targeting the people who smoke a joint at the weekend – Taskforce Vitreus’s week of action targeted the suppliers and organised crime groups that profit from people’s pain.

“We know for a fact that organised crime is a significant driver of harm and illegal activity. These groups don’t care about their users or the fact so many people with addiction issues have to steal or rob others to fund their habits. The criminals causing this want only the money and the market share.

“Simply, they don’t care if your house gets broken into, they don’t care if a user ends up in hospital or dies. The only thing that matters to them is getting their next customer.”

Customs Investigations Manager Dominic Adams confirmed that Customs’ intelligence analysis and investigations expertise played a key role in supporting this complex, multi-agencies’ operation which has resulted in significant disruption and financial losses for the organised crime entities involved.

“These criminals need to understand that we will respond to their illicit activities with the united forces of our investigations, intelligence and enforcement partners which reach across borders to detect and disrupt the harm and hit the profits of organised crime,” Mr Adams says.

The National Organised Crime Group will continue to work with international counterparts to stage covert and overt campaigns that target and frustrate criminal entities, Detective Superintendent Williams says.

“There will be more operations like this in future, and we will do our best to be a thorn deep in their side.”

Quantity of drugs seized by Police, and Customs (at the border):

Methamphetamine:

• Police: 235.92 grams
• Customs: 4134.39 grams, plus 10 pills
• Total: 4.37kg, and 10 pills

Cannabis leaf:

• Police: 4890.83 grams
• Customs: 2933 grams, plus 61 seeds
• Total: 7.82kg and 61 seeds

Cannabis plants:

Police: 162

Cocaine:

• Police: 2.37 grams
• Customs: 99.3 grams
• Total: 101.67 grams

GBL/GHB:

• Police: 117.24 (GHB)
• Customs: 1275 grams (GBL)
• Total: 1.39kg

Ketamine:

Police: 0.75 grams
Customs: 466 grams
Total: 466.75

MDMA:

• Police: 21.12 grams and two tabs
• Customs: 4134.39 grams and 10 tabs
• Total: 4.14kg and 12 tabs

Pseudoephedrine (used to manufacture meth):

• Customs: 25,392 grams
• Total: 25.39kg

Ephedrine:

• Customs: 2384 grams
• Total: 2.38kg.

Image credit: Kindel Media