The staggering haul of methamphetamine captured in Northland.
The staggering haul of methamphetamine captured in Northland.
A second person has pleaded guilty to charges relating to the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the country on Ninety Mile Beach and at Totara North.
Amoki Matoto Fonua, 32, admitted in the High Court at Whangarei this morning to one charge of importing methamphetamine into the country, oneof participating in an organised criminal group together with others, and another of possession of methamphetamine.
He was among six people arrested after the seizure of 448kg of meth from the back of a campervan on June 19 last year and a further 46kg from bags buried in sand dunes on Ninety Mile Beach.
The drugs are worth $494 million and outstripped the 334kg of meth seized in New Zealand last year.
Fonua was remanded in custody to re-appear for sentencing on June 2.
Five others- Ulakai Fakaosilea, 26, Jermiah Iusitini, 27, Malachi Tuilotolava, 25, and Ka Yip Wan, 26, Stevie Norua Cullen, 34- have pleaded not guilty to similar charges and elected trial by jury.
Their trial will likely take place in April next year.
