New Zealand police dismantle transnational meth cell, arrest 11 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals

Police in New Zealand carried out coordinated raids in Auckland’s Avondale and Pakuranga suburbs and in Northland under Operation Haste (and a related Phoenix operation). The sweeps dismantled a transnational organised‑crime cell that had entered the country specifically to manufacture methamphetamine. Eleven men, all Chinese or Taiwanese nationals aged 21‑53, were arrested and charged with supply of meth, importing precursors and participation in an organised criminal group.

Officers recovered an operational drug laboratory, about 10 kg of methamphetamine, pseudo‑ephedrine and roughly NZ$200,000 in cash. The Northland raid also uncovered nine firearms, a loaded pistol found in a child’s bedroom, a cannabis grow room and NZ$15,000 in cash. The operation marks the 32nd transnational crime cell dismantled by the National Organised Crime Group since 2018 and highlights ongoing cooperation with international partners. Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said, "We believe this group entered the country specifically to manufacture illicit drugs, supported by several New Zealand‑based facilitators."