Police hope meth mum can turn life around while in prison

There's hope a mother of five caught in an elaborate meth bust can turn a new leaf while in prison.

Last year undercover police officers targeted what they say was a drug ring run by Porirua Mongrel Mob members.

They believe the operation was involved in the supply and distribution of about 20kg of meth.

Street-level dealer Natasha Ruby Waiariki, 30, has just been sentenced to two years and five months in prison for her role in it.

Detective senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said those selling methamphetamine should be held to account.

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But he said it was right that Waiariki's personal circumstances were taken into account at her sentencing.

"She's got a major addiction issue.

"Hopefully this moment in time is going to allow her to deal with that because the impact actually has been really harmful not only for the users of the products she's been selling to, but also herself, family, children and employment."

"Sometimes it needs an intervention from the police like this to kick start an addictive person into getting some help."

Leitch said several defendants were still going through the court system as a result of Operation Walnut.

He said the case was of particular interest because it stretched from the wholesaler right down to the street level dealer.

In court, Justice David Collins said the operation targeted two men suspected of purchasing meth in 1kg packages from Auckland to then distribute among their associates.

"Without the street-level dealer we don't have a demand and we don't have the wholesalers, so it was great to be able to impact right across the supply chain in this case," Leitch said.