Latest news with #OperationMatata
1News
7 days ago
- 1News
Auckland Airport drug ring: $24m meth, cocaine seized — 18 arrests
Eighteen people have been arrested — with 64kg of methamphetamine and 3.4kg of cocaine seized — following a police and Customs joint investigation into drug smuggling at Auckland Airport. Ten of those arrested worked at Auckland Airport, including nine baggage handlers. The investigation, dubbed Operation Matata, was launched after a man was arrested outside an East Tamaki address with 25kg of methamphetamine allegedly discovered in his vehicle. Detectives from the National Organised Crime Group and counterparts at Customs then uncovered a wider group, organising and carrying out the smuggling of Class A drugs at Auckland Airport. Police and Customs conducted nearly two dozen search warrants across the Auckland region on Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said police would allege the group imported controlled drugs through the airport on six occasions. "As a result, approximately 64 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.4 kilograms of cocaine has been seized by Customs and police." A "significant amount" of cash was seized during the investigation. (Source: Supplied) The street value of the methamphetamine and cocaine were $22.5 million and $1.5 million respectively. Police also located a significant amount of cash along with quantities of cocaine and a sawn-off shotgun during the search warrants. Gollan said insider threats posed a threat to the country and that the drugs would have gone on to cause "significant harm" and cost to communities. "We are pleased to continue to work with Auckland Airport authorities, Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to stamp this out." ADVERTISEMENT A sawn-off shotgun found during the investigation. (Source: Supplied) Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said the individuals were alleged to have abused their trusted positions as airport workers to smuggle "significant amounts" of harmful drugs into the country. "There is zero tolerance for this type of behaviour and this operation signals the action that law enforcement, with the support of industry partners, has taken against those who thought they could operate outside of the law and profit from their criminal activities." Of the arrested, 17 were men, aged between 20 and 42, and one was a 19-year-old woman. They were scheduled to appear in the Manukau District Court yesterday and today faced charges including importation, supply and possession for supply of the class A controlled drugs methamphetamine and cocaine.
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Baggage handlers arrested in $24m drug-smuggling bust
A joint investigation has foiled a criminal syndicate's operation, whose members have allegedly facilitated the smuggling of class A drugs through Auckland Airport. Police and Customs raided nearly two dozen properties across Auckland on Wednesday as part of Operation Matata. Eighteen arrests have been made, including of nine baggage handlers and another staff member working at the country's busiest airport. Those arrested are 17 men, aged between 20 and 42, and a 19-year-old woman. All were due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday. Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said the operation began on March 20, when a man was arrested outside an East Tamaki address after 25 kilograms of methamphetamine was discovered in his vehicle. Since then, detectives from the National Organised Crime Group and counterparts at Customs have uncovered a wider group organising and making it possible for controlled drugs to be smuggled through Auckland Airport. "Police will allege in court that this group imported controlled drugs through the airport on six occasions," Detective Inspector Gollan said. "As a result, approximately 64 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.4 kilograms of cocaine has been seized by Customs and police." The methamphetamine had a street value of $22.5 million while the cocaine was worth $1.5m. He said the drugs would have gone on to cause significant harm and cost to New Zealand communities. "Insider threats pose a threat to this country, and we are pleased to continue to work with Auckland Airport authorities, Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to stamp this out." Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said: "These individuals are alleged to have abused their trusted positions as airport workers to smuggle significant amounts of harmful drugs into New Zealand. "There is zero tolerance for this type of behaviour and this operation signals the action that law enforcement, with the support of industry partners, has taken against those who thought they could operate outside of the law and profit from their criminal activities." While the search warrants were being carried out, officers found a significant amount of cash along with quantities of cocaine and a sawn-off shotgun. Those arrested will face serious drugs charges, including importation, supply and possession for supply of the class A controlled drugs methamphetamine and cocaine.
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- RNZ News
Nine baggage handlers at Auckland Airport in $24m drug smuggling bust
Some of the seized drugs. Photo: Supplied / NZ police A joint investigation has foiled a criminal syndicate's operation, whose members have allegedly facilitated the smuggling of class A drugs through Auckland Airport. Police and Customs raided nearly two dozen properties across Auckland on Wednesday as part of Operation Matata. Eighteen arrests have been made, including nine baggage handlers and another staff member working at the country's busiest airport. Those arrested are 17 men, aged between 20 and 42, and a 19-year-old woman. All were due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday. Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said the operation began on 20 March 2025, when a man was arrested outside an East Tamaki address after 25 kilograms of methamphetamine was discovered in his vehicle. Since then, detectives from the National Organised Crime Group and counterparts at Customs have uncovered a wider group organising and making it possible for controlled drugs to be smuggled through Auckland Airport. "Police will allege in court that this group imported controlled drugs through the airport on six occasions," Detective Inspector Gollan said. "As a result, approximately 64 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.4 kilograms of cocaine has been seized by Customs and police." Photo: Supplied / NZ police The methamphetamine had a street value of $22.5 million while the cocaine was worth $1.5m. He said the drugs would have gone on to cause significant harm and cost to New Zealand communities. "Insider threats pose a threat to this country, and we are pleased to continue to work with Auckland Airport authorities, Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to stamp this out." The gun that was seized during searches. Photo: Supplied / NZ police Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said: "These individuals are alleged to have abused their trusted positions as airport workers to smuggle significant amounts of harmful drugs into New Zealand. "There is zero tolerance for this type of behaviour and this operation signals the action that law enforcement, with the support of industry partners, has taken against those who thought they could operate outside of the law and profit from their criminal activities." While the search warrants were being carried out, officers found a significant amount of cash along with quantities of cocaine and a sawn-off shotgun. Those arrested will face serious drugs charges, including importation, supply and possession for supply of the class A controlled drugs methamphetamine and cocaine. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- RNZ News
Nine baggage handlers arrested at Auckland Airport in $24m drug smuggling bust
Some of the seized drugs. Photo: Supplied / NZ police A joint investigation has foiled a criminal syndicate's operation, whose members have allegedly facilitated the smuggling of class A drugs through Auckland Airport. Police and Customs raided nearly two dozen properties across Auckland on Wednesday as part of Operation Matata. Eighteen arrests have been made, including nine baggage handlers and another staff member working at the country's busiest airport. Those arrested are 17 men, aged between 20 and 42, and a 19-year-old woman. All were due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday. Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said the operation began on 20 March 2025, when a man was arrested outside an East Tamaki address after 25 kilograms of methamphetamine was discovered in his vehicle. Since then, detectives from the National Organised Crime Group and counterparts at Customs have uncovered a wider group organising and making it possible for controlled drugs to be smuggled through Auckland Airport. "Police will allege in court that this group imported controlled drugs through the airport on six occasions," Detective Inspector Gollan said. "As a result, approximately 64 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.4 kilograms of cocaine has been seized by Customs and police." Photo: Supplied / NZ police The methamphetamine had a street value of $22.5 million while the cocaine was worth $1.5m. He said the drugs would have gone on to cause significant harm and cost to New Zealand communities. "Insider threats pose a threat to this country, and we are pleased to continue to work with Auckland Airport authorities, Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to stamp this out." The gun that was seized during searches. Photo: Supplied / NZ police Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said: "These individuals are alleged to have abused their trusted positions as airport workers to smuggle significant amounts of harmful drugs into New Zealand. "There is zero tolerance for this type of behaviour and this operation signals the action that law enforcement, with the support of industry partners, has taken against those who thought they could operate outside of the law and profit from their criminal activities." While the search warrants were being carried out, officers found a significant amount of cash along with quantities of cocaine and a sawn-off shotgun. Those arrested will face serious drugs charges, including importation, supply and possession for supply of the class A controlled drugs methamphetamine and cocaine. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
25-06-2025
- Scoop
Police And Customs Bag Smuggling Ring Operating Airside
A joint investigation has unpacked a criminal syndicate's operation, which allegedly facilitated the smuggling of class A drugs through Auckland Airport. Police and Customs terminated nearly two dozen search warrants on Wednesday across the Auckland region as part of Operation Matata. Eighteen arrests have been made, including nine baggage handlers and another staff member working at the country's busiest airport. Those arrested are 17 men, aged between 20 and 42, and a 19-year-old woman. Those arrested were appearing in the Manukau District Court yesterday afternoon and today. It all began on 20 March 2025, when a man was arrested outside an East Tamaki address after 25 kilograms of methamphetamine was discovered in his vehicle. Now, detectives from the National Organised Crime Group and counterparts at Customs have uncovered a wider group organising and facilitating controlled drugs being smuggled through Auckland Airport. 'Police will allege in court that this group imported controlled drugs through the airport on six occasions,' Detective Inspector Tom Gollan says. 'As a result, approximately 64 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.4 kilograms of cocaine has been seized by Customs and Police.' This would have gone on to cause significant harm and cost to New Zealand communities. 'Insider threats pose a threat to this country, and we are pleased to continue to work with Auckland Airport authorities, Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to stamp this out,' Detective Inspector Gollan says. Customs Investigations Manager Dominic Adams adds: 'These individuals are alleged to have abused their trusted positions as airport workers to smuggle significant amounts of harmful drugs into New Zealand. 'There is zero tolerance for this type of behaviour and this operation signals the action that law enforcement, with the support of industry partners, has taken against those who thought they could operate outside of the law and profit from their criminal activities.' During the 23 search warrants carried out, Police located a significant amount of cash along with quantities of cocaine and a sawn-off shotgun. Those arrested will face serious drugs charges, including importation, supply and possession for supply of the class A controlled drugs methamphetamine and cocaine. Operation Matata – by the numbers: Around 64.5kg of methamphetamine equates to: - 3,225,000 doses - $22.5m – the approximate retail value of this methamphetamine - $71.5m – an approximate amount of social harm prevented Around 3.4kg of cocaine equates to: - 34,000 doses - $1.5m – the approximate retail value of this cocaine - $1m – the approximate amount of social harm prevented
