Men accused of importing cocaine due back in court

The four men arrested in relation to yesterday's record drug bust are due back in court today. Photo/ File

The four men arrested in relation to yesterday's record drug bust are accused of being part of an international organised criminal group.

The men, aged 46, 45, 44 and 35, made a brief appearance in the Tauranga District Court before Judge Christina Cook yesterday afternoon facing a raft of charges relating to importing cocaine into New Zealand and possessing the drug for supply.

The charges relate to incidents in Tauranga and Auckland between June 1 and November 1 this year.

All four men stood in the dock together and did not enter pleas to the charges.

Judge Cook granted all four men interim name suppression.

The men were due back in the Tauranga District Court for their second appearance today. The case would then be transferred to Auckland.

The 35-year-old man is accused of:
Importing cocaine into New Zealand on June 1 in Tauranga
Participating in an organised criminal group between October 27 and November 1 at Tauranga
Importing cocaine into New Zealand on October 31 at Tauranga
Possessing cocaine for supply on October 31 at Tauranga
Possessing methamphetamine for supply on November 1 at Auckland
Possessing cocaine for supply on November 1 at Auckland
Possession of methamphetamine on November 1 at Auckland
The 44-year-old man is accused of:
Importing cocaine into New Zealand on June 1 at Tauranga
Possessing cocaine for supply on August 21 at Otahuhu
Participating in an organised criminal group between October 27 and November 1 at Tauranga
Importing cocaine into New Zealand on October 31 at Tauranga
Possessing cocaine for supply on October 31 at Tauranga
Possessing methamphetamine for supply on November 1 at Auckland
The 45-year-old man is accused of:
Importing cocaine into New Zealand on June 1 at Tauranga
Importing cocaine into New Zealand on October 31 at Tauranga
Participating in an organised criminal group at Tauranga between October 27 and November 1
Possessing cocaine for supply in Tauranga on October 31
The 46-year-old man is accused of:
Importing cocaine into New Zealand on October 31 at Tauranga
Participating in an organised criminal group at Tauranga between October 27 and November 1