WELLINGTON: Two Tararua men have been arrested after a police sting recovered half a kilogram of methamphetamine, worth half a million dollars, in a suspected North Island supply ring.
Armed police stopped a vehicle entering Napier about 3.30am on Saturday, and its two occupants were arrested in a joint operation run by Tararua police, with help from Hawke’s Bay and Auckland staff.
A search of the vehicle turned up 560 grams of methamphetamine and drug utensils.
A 30-year-old Tararua man was charged with supplying and possession for supplying methamphetamine and appeared in the Napier District Court on Saturday.
He was remanded in custody and will reappear in the Dannevirke District Court next month.
A 31-year-old Tararua man was charged with possession of drug utensils.
He was remanded on bail and will appear in the Napier District Court on Wednesday.
Central District police field crime manager Detective Inspector Ross McKay said police believed the supply ring was carrying out illicit activity between the central and upper North Island, and the methamphetamine recovered was destined for the Hawke’s Bay and Tararua areas.
“The supply and dealing of illicit drugs knows no boundaries and this seizure is a major success for these communities.”
Inquiries were continuing and more arrests were likely, he said.
Tararua officers were working closely with the police asset recovery team to establish if any items belonging to the two men were obtained through proceeds of crime.
