Three arrested in police, customs operation

Chief Customs Officer Kirk McPherson, left and Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann with a motorised 'pill press' (single punch tablet press) which had been recently imported into the country. Photo / NZPA

Three Palmerston North men were arrested this morning and face a variety of charges after a four-month police and customs operation targeting the production and distribution of illegal drugs.

Police searched four houses in Palmerston North and arrested the men, aged 26, 20 and 19, at three of the addresses.

About a dozen police officers, the Armed Offenders Squad, seven customs officers, a customs dog and ESR staff were involved in the operation.

Among items seized was a motorised pill press able to bulk-manufacture tablets and a small quantity of chemicals, police said.

In April, New Zealand Customs intercepted a package containing equipment able to be used to make drugs, prompting the joint operation.

The 26-year-old will appear in Palmerston North District Court tomorrow on five drug-dealing offences involving Class A, B and C controlled drugs.

The 20-year-old man is also to appear in court tomorrow, facing six drug-dealing offences involving Class A, B and C drugs.

The other man was bailed to appear in court next Thursday on four drug-dealing offences involving Class C controlled drugs.

- NZPA