Waikato drug bust: Police, Customs seize illegal imports, arrest two

The illegal drugs were purchased online from international sources, police say. Image / File

Fantasy, cannabis, pills and ammunition have been seized in Waikato raids after police and Customs busted an online drug importing ring.

A joint operation between the two agencies was launched after a spike in the importing of GBL (Fantasy) and 1,4-B, which is a drug similar to GBL, was identified earlier this year.

Cannabis and ammunition were among the assorted catchment of illegal items caught by police being smuggled into the Waikato. Photo / 123RF

On Tuesday, warrants were executed at Waikato addresses. A total of 4 litres of 1,4-B, 129 cannabis plants, 1kg of dried cannabis, 100 BZP pills, and ammunition were found.

It comes after 30 litres of GBL was seized at the border.

A 40-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman were arrested and charged with offences including importing a Fantasy-type substance, supplying a Fantasy-type substance, supplying methamphetamine, cultivating cannabis and supplying cannabis.

Detective Inspector Daryl Smith of the Waikato Organised Crime Squad warned people attempting to buy drugs online that police and Customs are on to them.

“This investigation sends a message to drug dealers shopping online – you can’t hide behind the internet.”

This week’s warrants also showed the value of the partnership between Customs and NZ Police to tackle international crime syndicates and the importation of illegal drugs into New Zealand, he said.

Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said Customs is committed to disrupting the smuggling of illicit substances into our country.

“This is another great example of the collaborative work between Customs and police. These arrests have prevented the distribution of harmful drugs into the Waikato, leaving our communities safer as a result.”