Drug kingpin jailed for masterminding 'sophisticated' drug ring

Gary John Read.Photo / File

A drug kingpin has been jailed for at least five years for masterminding a "sophisticated" multi-million dollar drug importation business.

This morning in Hamilton High Court, Gary Read was sentenced to 11 years in prison with a minimum non parole period of 5 years and 3 months for importing up to 70 packages of pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient used to make methamphetamine or P.

Justice Kit Toogood said Read executed an enterprising and cunning operation by disguising the drugs and mailing them from Thailand to unwitting friends and family in New Zealand, including his daughter.

The drugs had street values in the millions and were sold to gangs.