Key Takeaways:
- Police have made further arrests in an attempt to dismantle an international organized crime syndicate smuggling Class A drugs through Auckland Airport.
- Eight associates from the Brotherhood 28 MC gang, including its president, were arrested and charged with 170 separate drug offenses.
- Police have seized $220 million worth of methamphetamine and $50.4 million worth of cocaine as part of Operation Matata.
- The crime syndicate has links to the Comancheros gang and Headhunters, and has been working with international partners to smuggle drugs into New Zealand.
- Police and Customs are working together to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen New Zealand’s border, and are educating baggage handling companies on what to look out for.
Introduction to the Operation
Police have made significant progress in dismantling an international organized crime syndicate that has been smuggling Class A drugs through Auckland Airport. The National Organised Crime Group and Customs carried out 20 search warrants across the Auckland region, resulting in the arrest of eight associates from the Brotherhood 28 MC gang, including its president. The arrests are part of Operation Matata, which has been ongoing since the beginning of the year. The operation has already resulted in the seizure of 630kg of methamphetamine worth $220 million and 112kg of cocaine worth $50.4 million.
The Scope of the Operation
The latest arrests bring the total number of arrests to 43, with 20 of those being baggage handlers employed by companies operating at Auckland Airport. Police have been working in collaboration with international partners, including Homeland Security Investigations in the US and police liaison officers in other countries, to disrupt the crime syndicate. The syndicate has links to other gangs, including the Comancheros and Headhunters, and has been using baggage handlers to smuggle drugs into the country. Detective Inspector Tom Gollan stated that the gangs are working together, with one gang hiring or renting out baggage handlers to another gang to take a cut of the profits.
The Methods of the Crime Syndicate
The crime syndicate has been using a variety of methods to corrupt baggage handlers, including offering them large sums of money. Gollan stated that police have seized shoe boxes filled with $200,000 in cash at the addresses of baggage handlers. The gangs are targeting vulnerable individuals and exploiting them for their own gain. Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams stated that the criminal networks are actively seeking out people in parts of the international supply chain and using inducements such as money to exploit them.
International Cooperation
The problem of international organized crime is not unique to New Zealand, with Adams stating that it is happening in countries such as Australia, the UK, and the US. However, New Zealand is working closely with international partners to share intelligence and best practices to combat the issue. Adams stated that education is key, and that Customs is working with baggage handling companies to educate them on what to look out for. The companies are being advised to be aware of suspicious behavior, such as an employee suddenly having a lot of money or possessions.
The Response of Auckland Airport
Auckland Airport has welcomed the latest arrests, with head of terminal operations Richard Deihl stating that they demonstrate the strong and effective collaboration between police, Customs, and the airport community. Deihl stated that everyone in the airport system is united in their commitment to stamp out drug trafficking at the border. The airport is working closely with police and Customs to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen New Zealand’s border. The collaboration between the different agencies is seen as a key factor in the success of Operation Matata, and it is hoped that it will continue to disrupt the activities of international organized crime syndicates.
Conclusion
The latest arrests are a significant blow to the international organized crime syndicate that has been smuggling Class A drugs through Auckland Airport. The operation is a testament to the effectiveness of collaboration between police, Customs, and international partners. The seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine will help to prevent significant harm to vulnerable communities in New Zealand. The operation also highlights the importance of education and awareness in preventing the exploitation of individuals by criminal networks. As the operation continues, it is likely that further arrests will be made, and the syndicate will be dismantled.
