Litres of Fantasy or GBL, pills and other illegal substances ordered through international online sources and imported into New Zealand to be sold in the local Waikato market have been uncovered in a joint operation by Waikato Organised Crime and New Zealand Customs.
Earlier this year, staff at Police and Customs identified a spike in the importation of GBL and 1,4-B (a drug similar to GBL), and an investigation was launched.
On Tuesday, the Waikato Organised Crime Squad, with assistance from Customs, the Armed Offenders Squad, and other Waikato Police staff executed warrants at two residential addresses and two storage facilities.
A total of 4L of 1,4-B, 129 cannabis plants, 1kg of dried cannabis, 100 BZP pills, and ammunition were located across the properties. This follows a previous seizure of 30L of GBL at the border.
A 40-year-old man and 42-year-old woman were arrested and charged with a variety of offences including importing a Fantasy type substance, supplying a Fantasy type substance, supplying methamphetamine, cultivating cannabis and supplying cannabis.
Detective Inspector Daryl Smith of the Waikato Organised Crime Squad warned those who attempted to buy drugs online that Police and Customs are on to them.
¡°This investigation sends a message to drug dealers shopping online ¨C you can¡¯t hide behind the internet.¡±
This week¡¯s warrants also showed the value of the partnership between Customs and 51½ÖÉä to tackle international crime syndicates and the importation of illegal drugs into New Zealand, he said.
Customs Investigations Manager Dominic Adams said Customs is committed to identifying and disrupting the smuggling of illicit substances into our country.
¡°This is another great example of the collaborative work between Customs and Police. These arrests have prevented the distribution of harmful drugs into the Waikato, leaving our communities safer as a result.¡±
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre