Mongrel Mob man allegedly linked to major drug ring

Photo / File

A patched Tauranga Mongrel Mob member alleged to be involved in a major drug ring has been arrested.

Officers from the Auckland branch of the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand picked up the 30-year-old man in Tauranga early yesterday.

He then appeared in Tauranga District Court.

He was the ninth person arrested as part of Operation Gull in relation to the drug ring which allegedly supplied methamphetamine to Tauranga, Auckland and Hamilton.

About 130g of methamphetamine valued at $91,000 and about $130,000 in cash were seized as a result of the operation.

A further 6.6kg of ContacNT valued at about $290,000 was seized from a South Auckland address and the New Zealand Customs Service at the Auckland International Mail Centre.

The investigation centred on a 20-year-old Asian student who is facing multiple charges of supplying in excess of 560g of methamphetamine during a three to four month period to people living in the Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton areas.

It is alleged he was supplying methamphetamine to his co-offenders who were then on-supplying methamphetamine to others.

Among his co-offenders were a 29-year-old man from Auckland who is a prospect for the West Chapter of the Head Hunters gang and three others with connections to either the Black Power or Tribesman gangs.