Ten people have been arrested and over $1 million in cash has been seized following a significant nationwide drug operation targeting the supply and distribution of meth.
Over 150 officers executed search warrants at 17 commercial and residential properties in wider Auckland, Canterbury and Southland districts on Wednesday morning.
One of the properties raided was a West Auckland car yard on Bentinck Street, New Lynn.
Police confirmed Wednesday's raids are part of a 10-month-long investigation called Operation Maddale, targeting the supply and distribution of methamphetamine and money laundering.
Detective Inspector Greg Cramer from the National Organised Crime Group confirms police have seized 20 kilograms of meth with an estimated street value of over $12 million.
Over $1 million in cash and assets have also been seized. Several luxury vehicles including three Harley Davidsons, a Ford Ranger, Jeep Wrangler and a Porsche Macan have been taken in.
Detective Cramer says the operation has broken into a sophisticated, nationwide methamphetamine network.
"The seizure of 20 kilograms of methamphetamine will prevent significant harm to families," he says.
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Properties were searched across the Auckland suburbs of Avondale, Blockhouse Bay, Greenlane, Grey Lynn, Karaka, Manukau, Manurewa, Mt Eden, New Lynn and Northcote. Raids also were executed in central Dunedin and the Christchurch suburb of Avonside.
Ten people between the ages of 21 and 42 will face over 70 charges between them, including supply of methamphetamine, possession for supply of methamphetamine, money laundering and participating in an organised criminal group.
The suspects are due to appear in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin District Courts this week.
This investigation remains ongoing.
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